The Impact Of Mental Health Diagnoses And Medication Use On Sleep In Collegiate Athletes

Sport, school, and social stress may negatively influence sleep in collegiate athletes, particularly amongst those with a mental health condition and associated medication use. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to i) examine sleep differences between collegiate athletes with and without a mental health diagnosis and ii) determine if medication use influenced sleep amongst those with a mental health diagnosis. METHODS: Collegiate athletes completed a self-reported, cross-sectional survey to capture demographic and medical information including mental health diagnosis history and associated medication use. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), which yields a sum global score (0-21 score range; >5 indicates poor sleep) and 7 subcomponent scores (0-3 score range). We performed independent t-tests to compare PSQI global and subcomponent scores between those with and without a mental health diagnosis. Additionally, we performed independent t-tests to determine if medication use (yes/no) influenced sleep amongst those with a mental health diagnosis. RESULTS: Overall, 566 collegiate athletes (19.7 ± 1.5 years) were included in analyses. Those with a mental health diagnosis (20.3%, n = 115) had significantly worse PSQI global scores and subcomponent scores for sleep quality, latency, disturbances, sleep medication use, and daytime dysfunction (Table 1). Of those with a mental health diagnosis, those taking medication (n = 58) demonstrated worse component scores for sleep medication use (1.10 ± 1.19 vs. 0.46 ± 0.93; p = 0.002, d = 0.61) and daytime dysfunction (1.05 ± 0.76 vs. 0.74 ± 0.64, p = 0.01, d = 0.45). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that having a history of a mental health diagnosis and associated medication use may negatively impact sleep in collegiate athletes. Athletes with mental health diagnoses and those taking medication to help manage their symptoms may benefit from sleep hygiene counseling and education. Supported by: This study was funded by New Hampshire's IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (NH-INBRE; PI: Kelshaw)