Abstract
PURPOSE: Sleep is essential to adolescent development. Sexual and gender minority (SGM; e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) adults are at high risk for poor sleep, partially due to minority stress (e.g., discrimination). However, sleep has rarely been studied among SGM adolescents. In a national sample of early adolescents, we analyzed sexual minority (SM) and gender minority (GM) identity, gender incongruence, and gender nonconformity in association with sleep and tested minority and general stressors as mediators. METHODS: We cross-sectionally analyzed data from 10,070 adolescents aged 10-14 in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development℠ Study. Using logistic regression models, we analyzed associations between identity (SM and GM), sexual identity discrimination, minority and general stressors (sexual identity discrimination, teasing, and conflict with parents) and sleep health (duration, latency, and disturbance). We used Baron and Kenny's method to test for mediation. RESULTS: Participants reported sexual identity (4% SM, 4% questioning) and gender identity (0.4% GM, 0.6% questioning); 65% were White, 20% were Hispanic, and 52% were assigned male at birth. Compared to heterosexual, SM participants had higher odds of short sleep duration, long sleep latency, and sleep disturbance. GM participants and those reporting gender incongruence and nonconformity had higher odds of long sleep latency and sleep disturbance. Sexual identity discrimination and general social stressors partially mediated some associations. DISCUSSION: SGM participants reported poorer sleep. Minority and general social stressors partially accounted for some disparities. Policies need to address SGM identity-based discrimination and challenge social norms that produce minority stress for SGM early adolescents.