Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 5, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
Published on: April 26, 2024
Sleep quality mediates the relationship between traumatic events, psychological distress, and suicidality in college
Sergey S Berg1, Parker S Rosenau2, J Roxanne Prichard3
1Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA.
Abstract:
Objectives: To determine whether sleep quality mediates the relationship between traumatic life events and psychological wellbeing in college students. Methods: 40,646 undergraduate responses from the Spring 2017 National College Health Assessment II were evaluated for relationships between two predictor variables: satisfactory sleep and traumatic life events, and two outcome variables: psychological distress (a composite of anxiety, exhaustion, feeling overwhelmed, depression, sadness, loneliness, hopelessness, and anger) and suicidality (composite of self-harm behaviors, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts). Linear mediation regression analysis via structural equation modeling was used to test these relationships. Results: Each additional traumatic life event students reported experiencing was associated with a 27.6% - 58.9% increase in the odds of reporting indicators of psychological distress or suicidality. Satisfactory sleep significantly mediated this negative relationship (proportional effects between 10.6 and 12.5%). Conclusions: Healthy sleep mediates the impact of traumatic life events on psychological distress and suicidality.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Psychological Responses to Stress
Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...

