Sleep is essential for health, daily functioning, and development. Yet, nearly 80% of 9th- and 97% of 12th-grade adolescents are chronically sleep-deprived. The adverse effects of sleep disturbance are especially pronounced for racial/ethnic minorities who consistently report poorer sleep hygiene. Hence, sleep can be added to a long list of areas in which racial/ethnic minorities suffer from disparities. Sleep disturbance may be a major cause of health and academic disparities among racial/ethnic minority adolescents. Sleep disturbance, health, and academic outcomes are also correlated with experiences of racial/ethnic discrimination, particularly among African American and Hispanic/Latino youth. This study explores whether sleep disturbance influences the relationships among racial discrimination, health and academic outcomes in this high-risk population.
Are youth with greater sleep disturbance more likely to exhibit a negative impact of discrimination on health and achievement? This 4-year study will follow adolescents through high school to understand the ways that social and sleep-related factors influence the associations among racial/ethnic discrimination, health and academic outcomes. By collecting daily reports of discrimination, actigraphy (wristband monitor) measures of sleep, tri-annual reports of health and academic outcomes, and an index of school racial/ethnic diversity, the study investigates: (a) the effects of racial/ethnic discrimination on health and academic outcomes, (b) if sleep disturbance explains the link between racial discrimination and health and academic outcomes, (c) whether having a positive racial/ethnic identity influences how racial discrimination is related to sleep disturbance, and (d) how school ethnic/racial diversity is related to health and academic outcomes. Today, ethnic minorities already comprise 53% of Americans under age 18 and this number is projected to grow. The fact that historically minority groups are experiencing numerical majority status has the potential to redefine race relations. This study explores whether sleep may help protect minority adolescents against the negative effects of racial discrimination and stress.
