No Rest for the Wicked? The Consequences of Incarceration for Sleep Problems. (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Testa, Alexander; Porter, Lauren C.
• Is Part Of: Society and mental health. Volume 7:Number 3(2017:Nov.)
• Page Start: 196
• Page End: 208
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: incarceration -- sleep -- insomnia -- health behavior -- crime; Social psychiatry -- Periodicals; Community Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental illness -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Mental health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Mental health services -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 362.205
• DOI: 10.1177/2156869317707002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2156-8693

Abstract

About one in every five Americans suffers from inadequate sleep, a key indicator of physical and mental well-being. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, we investigate the association between incarceration and two related sleep problems: short sleep duration and symptoms of insomnia. We find that relative to those who have not been incarcerated, those with a history of incarceration have an elevated risk of short sleep duration and insomnia symptoms. These associations persist even after controlling for a host of potential confounders, including prior sleep problems. Additionally, the associations do not differ significantly across race.