Age Difference in Relationships between Depression and Sleep among Young Adult Men

Abstract

Background: There has been little evidence regarding how age influences the association between depression and sleep among young adult men. Thus, the current study explores the relationship between depression and sleep among young adult men and the moderating effect of age on the association. Methods: The present research employed a secondary analysis of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 for Children and Young Adults. A total of 2777 men were selected for the final sample. A moderation model was used to identify the moderating effect of age on the relationship between depression and sleep. Results: Depression was negatively related to hours of sleep among young adult men and age was negatively associated with hours of sleep. An interaction effect was found, indicating that age significantly moderated the association between depression and hours of sleep among young adult men. Conclusions: Free educational programs on the importance of quality of sleep and adequate sleep should be provided to young adult men before they enter their thirties. This study implies that improving sleep among young adult men as well as identifying what particular age span in young adulthood is important and should be given more attention when accounting for young adult men's depression.