Variations in sleep characteristics and sleep-related impairment in at-risk college drinkers: a latent profile analysis

Health Psychol. 2014 Oct;33(10):1164-73. doi: 10.1037/hea0000115. Epub 2014 Aug 18.

Abstract

Objective: Sleep disturbance and heavy drinking increase risk of negative consequences in college students. Limited research exists on how they act synergistically, and the overall nature of sleep and sleep-related impairment in college student drinkers is poorly understood. A latent profile analysis was conducted on the sleep characteristics and daytime sleep-related consequences of college student drinkers who were at-risk based on Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption scores.

Methods: Participants (N = 312, mean age = 18.90 (0.97) years) consumed a mean (SD) of 20.93 (13.04) drinks per week. Scores on the 10 items of the Sleep/Wake Behavior Problems Scale (SWPS) were the class indicators.

Results: Four classes best described the sleep and sleep-related consequences of at-risk college drinkers. Classes represented different gradients and types of sleep patterns and sleep-related impairment; nearly half the sample reported late bedtimes and daytime consequences of insufficient sleep. Subsequent validation analyses indicated that these classes were directly correspondent with severity of alcohol consumption, alcohol-related consequences illicit substance use, and perceived health.

Conclusions: These findings indicate the presence of significant heterogeneity in college drinkers' sleep patterns and experiences of sleep-related impairment. Class differences significantly impact the level of alcohol and drug use and the consequences members experience. Greater alcohol use and sleep/wake problems are associated with increased risk for negative consequences for certain classes. These results suggest that college drinking interventions could benefit from the incorporation of sleep-related content and the value in adding brief alcohol assessments and interventions to other college health treatments.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alcohol-Related Disorders / complications*
  • Alcohol-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Comorbidity
  • Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / complications
  • Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • New England / epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Sleep / drug effects*
  • Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / chemically induced*
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / epidemiology
  • Students / statistics & numerical data*
  • Universities
  • Young Adult