0622 Influence of Cannabis Use Disorder on Sleep Quality among College Students. (25th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Turner, Arlener; Keen, Larry; Bernard, Mark; Blanc, Judite; Seixas, Azizi; Jean-Louis, Girardin
• Is Part Of: Sleep. Volume 45(2022)Supplement 1
• Page Start: A272
• Page End: A274
• Publication Date: 2022-05-25
• Subjects: Sleep -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sleep disorders -- Periodicals; Sommeil -- Aspect physiologique -- Périodiques; Sommeil, Troubles du -- Périodiques; Sleep disorders; Sleep -- Physiological aspects; Sleep -- physiological aspects; Sleep Wake Disorders; Psychophysiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.8498
• DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsac079.619
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0161-8105

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Poor sleep, which has numerous deleterious effects, is one of the most common health complaints among college students. Both race/ethnicity and sex are associated with poor sleep outcomes, with Black college women potentially having higher risk. The college experience is often associated with an increase in stress, as well as drastic shifts in lifestyle and sleep patterns. Research indicates that college students report cannabis use enables them to cope with life stressors and negative emotions and is often used as a sleep aid. The use of cannabis as a to cope may lead to more chronic cannabis use, and the development of Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), which is most prevalent in individuals aged 18-25. Therefore, this study examined the influence of CUD symptomatology on sleep among Black female college students. Methods: Participants included 200 Black/African American women (age range: 18-25 years) attending a Historically Black College/University. Each participant completed an Qualtrics online survey including assessment of DSM-5 CUD criteria, and validated measures of sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]) and perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale [PSS]). Results: 11.5% of the sample met criteria for CUD. There were no significant differences between the CUD and non-CUD groups in perceived stress, however, all participants endorsed moderate stress levels (M=19.51, SD=5.33). Additionally, all participant's PSQI scores met criteria for impaired sleep (score >5). [MOU1] [TAD2] T-test analyses indicate that the CUD subgroup reported poorer sleep quality (M=9.04, SD=3.69 vs M=7.07, SD=3.28), more sleep disturbances (M=1.52, SD=0.59 vs M=1.15, SD=0.74), and longer sleep latency (M=37.70, SD=25.28 vs M=25.92, SD=23.95), than the non-CUD group (all p<.05). Conclusion: Black/African American female college students who met criteria for CUD reported more sleep disturbances, longer sleep latencies, and poorer overall sleep quality. Given the lack of difference in perceived stress, these results suggest that the use of cannabis as a coping aid may exacerbate poor sleep. Previous research indicates that Black women are not only more likely to report poor sleep, but that they also report exploring non-traditional strategies to address their sleep problems. These findings suggest a need to examine these non-traditional coping strategies for possible paradoxical and deleterious effects. Support (If Any): Funding: R01HL142066, R01HL095799, RO1MD004113, R01HL152453, 1R15 DA052886-01A1