Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Longitudinal Bi-directional Relationships Between Sleep and Youth Substance Use

  • Empirical Research
  • Published:
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Despite the known deficits in sleep that occur during adolescence and the high prevalence of substance use behaviors among this group, relatively little research has explored how sleep and substance use may be causally related. The purpose of this study was to explore the longitudinal bi-directional relationships between sleep duration, sleep patterns and youth substance use behaviors. Participants included 704 mostly white (86.4 %) youth, 51 % female, with a baseline mean age of 14.7 years. Self-reported substance use behaviors included past month alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use. Sleep measures included sleep duration on weekends and weekdays, total sleep, weekend oversleep, and weekend sleep delay. Cross-lagged structural equation models, accounting for clustering at the school level, were run to determine the longitudinal association between sleep and substance use adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics, pubertal status, body mass index z-score, and depressive symptoms. Cigarette use and weekend sleep were bi-directionally related as were marijuana use and total sleep. No other bi-directional associations were identified. However, alcohol use predicted shorter weekend oversleep and marijuana use predicted increased weekend sleep and weekend oversleep. Sleep patterns and duration also predicted adolescents’ cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use. Sleep, both patterns and duration, and substance use among youth are intertwined. Future research is needed to explore these bi-directional relationships, as well as other important contextual factors that may moderate these associations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bollen, K. A., & Curran, P. J. (2006). Latent curve models : a structural equation perspective (Wiley series in probability and statistics). Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley-Interscience.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cappuccio, F. P., Taggart, F. M., Kandala, N. B., Currie, A., Peile, E., Stranges, S., et al. (2008). Meta-analysis of short sleep duration and obesity in children and adults. Sleep, 31(5), 619–626.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carskadon, M. A., Harvey, K., & Dement, W. C. (1981). Acute restriction of nocturnal sleep in children. Perception and Motor Skills, 53, 103–112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carskadon, M. A., Vieira, C., & Acebo, C. (1993). Association between puberty and delayed phase preference. Sleep, 16(3), 258–262.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carskadon, M. A., Wolfson, A. R., Acebo, C., Tzischinsky, O., & Seifer, R. (1998). Adolescent sleep patterns, circadian timing, and sleepiness at a transition to early school days. Sleep, 21(8), 871–881.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Youth risk behavior surveillance—United States, 2011. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 61(4), 1–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crum, R. M., Storr, C. L., Chan, Y. F., & Ford, D. E. (2004). Sleep disturbance and risk for alcohol-related problems. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 161(7), 1197–1203.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dahl, R. E. (1996). The impact of inadequate sleep on children’s daytime cognitive function. Seminars in Pediatric Neurology, 3(1), 44–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dahl, R. E., & Lewin, D. S. (2002). Pathways to adolescent health: Sleep regulation and behavior. Journal of Adolescent Health, 31, 175–184.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eaton, D. K., Kann, L., Kinchen, S., Shanklin, S., Ross, J., Hawkins, J., et al. (2010). Youth risk behavior surveillance—United States, 2009. MMWR. Surveillance summaries: Morbidity and mortality weekly report. Surveillance summaries/CDC, 59(5), 1–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, F. M., Nagai, R., & Teixeira, L. R. (2008). Explaining sleep duration in adolescents: the impact of socio-demographic and lifestyle factors and working status. Chronobiology International, 25(2), 359–372.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fredriksen, K., Rhodes, J., Reddy, R., & Way, N. (2004). Sleepless in Chicago: Tracking the effects of adolescent sleep loss during the middle school years. Child Development, 75(1), 84–95.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gluck, M., Geliebter, A., & Satov, T. (2001). Night eating syndrome is associated with depression, low self-esteem, reduced daytime hunger, and less weight loss in obese outpatients. Obesity Research, 9, 264–267.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, E., & Huang, B. (2002). Socioeconomic status, depressive symptoms, and adolescent substance use. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 156(5), 448–453.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Guo, J., Hawkins, J. D., Hill, K. G., & Abbott, R. D. (2001). Childhood and adolescent predictors of alcohol abuse and dependence in young adulthood. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 62(6), 754–762.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hallfors, D. D., Waller, M. W., Bauer, D., Ford, C. A., & Halpern, C. T. (2005). Which comes first in adolescence—Sex and drugs or depression? American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 29(3), 163–170.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hasler, B. P., Smith, L. J., Cousins, J. C., & Bootzin, R. R. (2012). Circadian rhythms, sleep, and substance abuse. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 16(1), 67–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, L. T., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indices in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling, 6, 1–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, E. O., & Breslau, N. (2001). Sleep problems and substance use in adolescence. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 64(1), 1–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, L. D., O’Malley, P. M., & Bachman, J. G. (1998). National survey results on drug use from the monitoring the future study, 1975–1997.

  • Kandel, D., & Davies, M. (1982). Epidemiology of depressive mood in adolescents. Archives of General Psychiatry, 39, 1205–1212.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kuczmarski, R. J., Ogden, C. L., Guo S. S., et al. (2002). 2000 CDC growth charts for the United States: Methods and development. Vital and Health Statistics, 11(246), 1–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laberge, L., Petit, D., Simard, C., Vitaro, F., & Tremblay, R. E. (2001). Development of sleep patterns in early adolescence. Journal of Sleep Research, 10, 59–67.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, K. A., McEnany, G., & Weekes, D. (1999). Gender differences in sleep patterns for early adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 24, 16–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lytle, L. A. (2009). Examining the etiology of childhood obesity: The IDEA study. American Journal of Community Psychology, 44(3–4), 338–349.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lytle, L. A., Pasch, K. E., & Farbakhsh, K. (2011). The relationship between sleep and weight in a sample of adolescents. Obesity, 19(2), 324–331.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Muthén, L. K., & Muthén, B. O. (1998–2010). Mplus User’s Guide. (6th Ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Muthén & Muthén.

  • National Sleep Foundation. (2006). Sleep in America Poll. Washington, D.C.: National Sleep Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Brien, E. M., & Mindell, J. A. (2005). Sleep and risk-taking behavior in adolescents. Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 3(3), 113–133.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pasch, K. E., Laska, M. N., Lytle, L. A., & Moe, S. G. (2010). Adolescent sleep, risk behaviors, and depressive symptoms: Are they linked? American Journal of Health Behavior, 34(2), 237–248.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pasch, K. E., Nelson, M. C., Lytle, L. A., Moe, S. G., & Perry, C. L. (2008). Adoption of risk-related factors through early adolescence: Associations with weight status and implications for causal mechanisms. The Journal of Adolescent Health, 43(4), 387–393.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pasch, K. E., Velazquez, C. E., Cance, J. D., Moe, S. G., & Lytle, L. A. (2012). Youth substance use and body composition: Does risk in one area predict risk in the other? Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 41(1), 14–26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Patel, S. R., & Hu, F. B. (2008). Short sleep duration and weight gain: A systematic review. Obesity (Silver Spring), 16(3), 643–653.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patel, S. R., Malhotra, A., White, D. P., Gottlieb, D. J., & Hu, F. B. (2006). Association between reduced sleep and weight gain in women. American Journal of Epidemiology, 164(10), 947–954.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Patton, G. C., & Viner, R. (2007). Pubertal transitions in health. Lancet, 369(9567), 1130–1139.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Petersen, A. C., Crockett, L. J., Richards, M., & Boxer, A. (1988). A self-report measure of pubertal status: Reliability, validity and initial norms. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 17(2), 117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, B. A., & Danner, F. J. (1995). Cigarette smoking and sleep disturbance. Archives of Internal Medicine, 155(7), 734–737.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, R. E., Roberts, C. R., & Chen, I. G. (2002). Impact of insomnia on future functioning of adolescents. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 53(1), 561–569.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, R. E., Roberts, C. R., & Duong, H. T. (2009). Sleepless in adolescence: Prospective data on sleep deprivation, health and functioning. Journal of Adolescence, 32(5), 1045–1057.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roehrs, T., & Roth, T. (2001). Sleep, sleepiness, and alcohol use. Alcohol Research & Health, 25(2), 101–109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sadeh, A., Dahl, R. E., Shahar, G., & Rosenblat-Stein, S. (2009). Sleep and the transition to adolescence: A longitudinal study. Sleep, 32(12), 1602–1609.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sadeh, A., Gruber, R., & Raviv, A. (2002). Sleep, neurobehavioral functioning, and behavior problems in school-age children. Child Development, 73(2), 405–417.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shih, R. A., Miles, J. N., Tucker, J. S., Zhou, A. J., & D’Amico, E. J. (2010). Racial/ethnic differences in adolescent substance use: mediation by individual, family, and school factors. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 71(5), 640–651.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Strauch, I., & Meier, B. (1988). Sleep need in adolescents: A longitudinal approach. Sleep, 11(4), 378–386.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Szymczak, J. T., Jasinska, M., Pawlak, E., & Zwierzykowska, M. (1993). Annual and weekly changes in the sleep-wake rhythm of school children. Sleep, 16(5), 433–435.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Townsend, J., Wilkes, H., Haines, A., & Jarvis, M. (1991). Adolescent smokers seen in general practice: health, lifestyle, physical measurements, and response to antismoking advice. British Medical Journal, 303(6808), 947–950.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tynjala, J., Kannas, L., & Levalahti, E. (1997). Perceived tiredness among adolescents and its association with sleep habits and use of psychoactive substances. Journal of Sleep Research, 6(3), 189–198.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vignau, J., Bailly, D., Duhamel, A., Vervaecke, P., Beuscart, R., & Collinet, C. (1997). Epidemiologic study of sleep quality and troubles in French secondary school adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 21(5), 343–350.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wetter, D. W., & Young, T. B. (1994). The relation between cigarette-smoking and sleep disturbance. Preventive Medicine, 23(3), 328–334.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Widome, R., Forster, J. L., Hannan, P. J., & Perry, C. L. (2007). Longitudinal patterns of youth access to cigarettes and smoking progression: Minnesota Adolescent Community Cohort (MACC) study (2000–2003). Preventive Medicine, 45(6), 442–446.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wills, T. A., Cleary, S., Filer, M., Shinar, O., Mariani, J., & Spera, K. (2001). Temperament related to early-onset substance use: test of a developmental model. Prevention Science, 2(3), 145–163.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wolfson, A. R. (1996). Sleeping patterns of children and adolescents: Developmental trends, disruptions, and adaptations. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 5(3), 549–568.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolfson, A. R., & Carskadon, M. A. (1998). Sleep schedules and daytime functioning in adolescents. Child Development, 69(4), 875–887.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wolfson, A. R., Carskadon, M. A., Acebo, C., Seifer, R., Fallone, G., Labyak, S. E., et al. (2003). Evidence for the validity of a sleep habits survey for adolescents. Sleep, 26(2), 213–216.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, M. M., Brower, K. J., Fitzgerald, H. E., & Zucker, R. A. (2004). Sleep problems in early childhood and early onset of alcohol and other drug use in adolescence. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 28(4), 578–587.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, M. M., Brower, K. J., Nigg, J. T., & Zucker, R. A. (2010). Childhood sleep problems, response inhibition, and alcohol and drug outcomes in adolescence and young adulthood. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 34(6), 1033–1044.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, M. M., Brower, K. J., & Zucker, R. A. (2009). Childhood sleep problems, early onset of substance use and behavioral problems in adolescence. Sleep Medicine, 10(7), 787–796.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was funded through a grant from the National Cancer Institute as part of their Transdisciplinary Research in Energetics and Cancer (TREC) Initiative. Grant # 1U54CA116849 and through a grant supported by the Etiology of Childhood Obesity (ECHO) with funding from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Grant #R01HL085978. The content of this manuscript is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Cancer Institute, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, or the National Institutes of Health.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas, 1 University Station, D3700, Austin, TX, 78712, USA

    Keryn E. Pasch, Lara A. Latimer & Jessica Duncan Cance

  2. Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA

    Stacey G. Moe & Leslie A. Lytle

Authors
  1. Keryn E. Pasch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lara A. Latimer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jessica Duncan Cance
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Stacey G. Moe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Leslie A. Lytle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Keryn E. Pasch.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pasch, K.E., Latimer, L.A., Cance, J.D. et al. Longitudinal Bi-directional Relationships Between Sleep and Youth Substance Use. J Youth Adolescence 41, 1184–1196 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-012-9784-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-012-9784-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation