Associations of positive and adverse childhood experiences and adulthood insomnia in a community sample of Chinese adults.

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Research has documented that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with increased adult sleep disturbances, little is known about whether positive childhood experiences (PCEs) influence sleep health in adulthood. This study aimed to examine the associations of ACEs and PCEs with adulthood insomnia, as well as the extent to which PTSD and depressive symptoms mediated these associations.

METHODS

A sample of 7245 adults in China (male 32.7%; mean age 38.09 years, SD = 7.84, range from 18 to 81) completed self-report questionnaires to assess ACEs, PCEs, PTSD and depressive symptoms. Multiple linear regressions were used to examine the independent and interaction effects of ACEs and PCEs on insomnia. Path analyses were performed to examine the direct and indirect effects of ACEs and PCEs on insomnia.

RESULTS

After adjustment of demographics, ACEs (β = 0.11, p < 0.001) and PCEs (β = -0.09, p < 0.001) were both independently associated with adulthood insomnia, while the relationship between PCEs and insomnia was weakened but still significant among participants with high levels of ACEs. After controlling for demographics, PTSD and depressive symptoms partially mediated the overall effect of PCEs on insomnia, and fully mediated the relationship between ACEs and insomnia.

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrate that both positive and adverse childhood experiences influence adulthood insomnia. The findings highlight the importance of joint assessment of PCEs and ACEs to prevent and intervene insomnia. Optimizing the early childhood environment may help to foster healthy sleep throughout the life course.