Relationship between sleep problems and non-suicidal self-injury behavior among college students

Abstract

Objective To explore the relationship between sleep problems and non-suicidal self-injury behavior in Chinese college students, and to provide scientific basis for the prevention and intervention of non-suicidal self-injury behavior.

Methods A cross-sectional survey of 11 689 college students from three universities in Guangzhou were selected as the research subjects. A questionnaire survey of college students’ mental health was conducted to investigate non-suicidal self-injury behavior, sleep problems, demographic information, lifestyle, and depressive symptoms.

Results In the past year, the prevalence rates of non-suicidal self-injury in college students was 7.8%. Univariate Logistic analysis showed that all sleep problems were associated with non-suicidal self-injury behavior ( P<0.05). After controlling for potential confounders, including grade, gender, parents’ education level, health conditon, family income, smoking, drinking and depression, multivariate Logistic regression showed that shorter sleep time at weekend (<7 h/d), insomnia symptoms and frequent nightmares significantly increased the risk of non-suicidal self-injury behavior in college students ( OR =1.32—3.25, P<0.05), while longer sleep time at weekdays (≥9 h/d) was an important protective factor ( OR = 0.60, P<0.05).

Conclusion These findings indicate that short sleep time, insomnia and nightmares are important risk factors for college students’ non-suicidal self-injury behavior. Intervention and management on sleep problems can effectively reduce the occurrence of self-injury behaviors.

Abstract

【摘要】 目的 探讨大学生睡眠问题与非自杀性自伤行为 (non-suicidal self-injury, NSSI) 的关系, 为大学生 NSSI 行 为的预防和干预提供科学依据。 方法 采用随机整群抽样方法, 选取广东省 3 所髙校的 11 689 名大学生作为研究对象, 采用大学生心理健康状况调査问卷调査大学生的 NSSI 行为、睡眠问题、一般人口学特征、生活习惯和抑郁症状。 结果 大 学生在过去 1 年内的 NSSI 行为报告率为 7.8%。单因素 Logistic 回归分析显示, NSSI 行为与工作日睡眠时间、周末睡眠时 间、失眠、噩梦睡眠问题均有相关性 ( P 值均<0.05); 在控制年级、性别、父母教育水平、身体健康状况、家庭收人、吸烟、饮酒 和抑郁症状后, 多因素 Logistic 回归分析显示, 周末较短的睡眠时间 (<7 h/d)、失眠症状和频繁噩梦均能增加大学生 NSSI 行为的发生风险 ( OR =1.32~3.25, P 值均<0.05), 而工作日较长的睡眠时间 (≥9 h/d) 则与 NSSI 行为呈负相关 ( OR = 0.60, P<0.05)。 结论 睡眠时间过短、失眠和噩梦是大学生 NSSI 行为的重要风险因素, 加强对睡眠问题的干预和管理可减少自 伤行为的发生。