Associations of sleep duration and sleep quality with indicators of mental health among youth and adults: findings from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey

Abstract

A growing number of Canadian studies have examined the link between sleep and mental health. This research builds upon that work by investigating associations of sleep duration and quality with positive mental health (PMH) and mental illness and suicidal ideation (MI/SI) outcomes among youth and adults from three Canadian provinces (i.e. Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan).

Using cross-sectional data from respondents 12 years and older (n = 18 683) who were asked questions on their sleep in the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey – Annual Component, we conducted unadjusted and adjusted logistic regressions with self-reported measures of sleep duration and sleep quality as independent variables and a range of PMH (e.g. high self-rated mental health) and MI/SI indicators (e.g. mood disorder diagnosis) as dependent variables. Analyses were conducted of all complete cases and also stratified by sex and age group.

Good sleep quality was associated with higher odds of PMH indicators (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.52–4.24) and lower odds of MI/SI indicators (aOR: 0.23– 0.47); associations remained significant when analyses were stratified. Meeting sleep duration recommendations was positively associated with PMH indicators (aOR: 1.27– 1.56) and negatively associated with MI/SI indicators (aOR: 0.41–0.80), but some associations did not remain significant when stratified.

This study provides support for associations between sleep duration and quality and indicators of PMH and MI/SI. Findings can inform future research and surveillance efforts that monitor sleep behaviours and indicators of PMH and MI/SI.