Anxiety sensitivity and racial differences in sleep duration: Results from a national survey of adults with cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Although Blacks sleep between 37–75 minutes less per night than non-Hispanic Whites, research into what drives racial differences in sleep duration is limited. We examined the association of anxiety sensitivity, a cognitive vulnerability, and race (Blacks vs. White) with short sleep duration (<7 hours of sleep/night), and whether anxiety sensitivity mediated race differences in sleep duration in a nationally representative sample of adults with cardiovascular disease. Overall, 1289 adults (115 Black, 1174 White) with a self-reported physician/health professional diagnosis of ≥1 myocardial infarction completed an online survey. Weighted multivariable logistic regressions and mediation analyses with bootstrapping and case resampling were conducted. Anxiety sensitivity and Black vs. White race were associated with 4% – 84% increased odds, respectively, of short sleep duration. Anxiety sensitivity mediated Black – White differences in sleep duration. Each anxiety sensitivity subscale was also a significant mediator. Implications for future intervention science to address sleep disparities are discussed.

How does anxiety sensitivity increase risk of chronic medical conditions?

“…For instance, one recent study found that race significantly moderated the association between AS and cannabis use, such that AS-physical concerns significantly predicted cannabis-related problems among black, but not white, individuals (Dean, Ecker, & Buckner, 2017). In another study, AS mediated the association between race and differences in sleep duration among individuals with cardiovascular disease, such that being black (vs. white) was indirectly associated with decreased sleep duration through high AS (Alc antara, Cosenzo, Fan, Doyle, & Shaffer, 2017). These studies point to the importance of considering sociodemographic variables in the model of AS-health associations.…”

How does anxiety sensitivity increase risk of chronic medical conditions?

“…For instance, one recent study found that race significantly moderated the association between AS and cannabis use, such that AS-physical concerns significantly predicted cannabis-related problems among black, but not white, individuals (Dean, Ecker, & Buckner, 2017). In another study, AS mediated the association between race and differences in sleep duration among individuals with cardiovascular disease, such that being black (vs. white) was indirectly associated with decreased sleep duration through high AS (Alc antara, Cosenzo, Fan, Doyle, & Shaffer, 2017). These studies point to the importance of considering sociodemographic variables in the model of AS-health associations.…”

Anxiety Sensitivity and Physical Inactivity in a National Sample of Adults with a History of Myocardial Infarction

“…As described in greater detail elsewhere [27], we conducted a national online survey of adults living in the United States. Inclusion criteria included adult age defined as 18 years of age or older, and self-reported doctor or health professional diagnosis of MI.…”

“…Herein, the total ASI score represented the higher-order anxiety sensitivity factor. Total scores for each of the anxiety sensitivity subdimensions were also calculated and the internal consistency estimates are provided below [27]: the physical concerns (Cronbach's α =0.92), social concerns (Cronbach's α =0.73), and cognitive concerns subscales (Cronbach's α =0.87).…”