“You’re Lucky if you Sleep” : Narratives of Perceived Psychosocial Influences and Consequences of Sleep Behaviors Among Emerging Adults From Sociodemographic Minority Groups in the U.S.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore perceptions of psychosocial influences and consequences of sleep; assess the perceived role of sleep self-efficacy; and evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep health among a sample of university-attending emerging adults from sociodemographic minority groups in the U.S. Participants ( N = 14; 68.5% racial-ethnic minority, 43.8% first-generation) completed online interviews. Results of thematic analysis showed consistency between the psychosocial factors that reportedly affect sleep (i.e., perceived influences) and the factors that were affected by sleep (i.e., perceived consequences): academics, mental health, social adjustment, physical health, and daily schedules. Themes regarding sleep self-efficacy and the perceived impact of the pandemic revealed variable approaches in how participants negotiate sleep needs in relation to the competing developmental tasks of emerging adulthood.