The Effects of Asthma, Anxiety, and Depression on Sleep Outcomes Among Youth in Puerto Rico

The objective of this study is to examine the associations among asthma, depression, and anxiety with sleep outcomes among youth in Puerto Rico and determine whether age moderates the associations. Data came from surveys of 333 youth aged 10-17 living in Puerto Rico. Predicted probabilities derived from logistic regression models were used to assess the associations of asthma, depression, and anxiety with sleep outcomes. Models included interactions between age group (10-13 vs 14-17) and asthma, depression, and anxiety when predicting sleep outcomes. The predicted probability of obtaining a sufficient amount of sleep was 15.9 percentage-points higher among those with asthma compared to those without asthma (p = 0.009), 21.9 percentage-points higher among older youth with asthma compared to older youth without asthma (p = 0.004), and 33.9 percentage-points lower among younger youth with depression compared to younger youth without depression (p = 0.019). There were no significant differences in the predicted probabilities of perceived sleep quality according to asthma, depression, or anxiety status. Findings suggest that age moderates the associations among asthma, depression, and sleep among youth in Puerto Rico. Younger youth with depression may be at increased risk for poor sleep outcomes.