Predictors of Anxiety-Induced Sleep Disturbance among in-School Adolescents in Ghana: Evidence from the 2012 Global School-Based Health Survey

Abstract

(1) Background: Psychological problems of adolescents have become a global health and safety concern. Empirical evidence has shown that adolescents experience diverse mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression, and emotional disorders). However, research on anxiety-induced sleep disturbance among in-school adolescents has received less attention, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study’s central focus was to examine factors associated with t anxiety-induced sleep disturbance among in-school adolescents in Ghana. (2) Methods: Analysis was performed using the 2012 Global School-based Health Survey (GSHS). A sample of 1342 in-school adolescents was included in the analysis. The outcome variable was anxiety-induced sleep disturbance reported during the past 12 months. Frequencies, percentages, chi-square, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results from the multivariable logistic regression analysis were presented as crude and adjusted odds ratios at 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and with a statistical significance declared at p < 0.05. (3) Results: Adolescents who went hungry were more likely to report anxiety-induced sleep disturbance compared to their counterparts who did not report hunger (aOR = 1.68, CI = 1.10, 2.57). The odds of anxiety-induced sleep disturbance were higher among adolescents who felt lonely compared to those that never felt lonely (aOR = 2.82, CI = 1.98, 4.01). Adolescents who had sustained injury were more likely to have anxiety-induced sleep disturbance (aOR = 1.49, CI = 1.03, 2.14) compared to those who had no injury. Compared to adolescents who never had suicidal ideations, those who reported experiencing suicidal ideations had higher odds of anxiety-induced sleep disturbance (aOR = 1.68, CI = 1.05, 2.71). (4) Conclusions: Anxiety-induced sleep disturbance among in-school adolescents were significantly influenced by the psychosocial determinants such as hunger, loneliness, injury, and suicidal ideation in this study. The findings can help design appropriate interventions through effective strategies (e.g., early school-based screening, cognitive-behavioral therapy, face-face counseling services) to reduce psychosocial problems among in-school adolescents in Ghana.

Teachers' views about school students' behavioral problems in the Emirate of Sharjah: An exploratory study

“…This approach is essential as the literature indicates parents and caregivers easily detect behavioral issues, and therefore collaboration between schools and parents is indispensable [ 7 ]. Other scholars also found a connection between home activities, such as waking up time due to school start period and students’ behavioral issues [ 8 ], and sleep disturbance and behavioral issues with school children [ 27 ]. So, teachers need to plan meaningful and authentic activities to motivate students to engage and learn from them with the active involvement of parents in supervisory roles for their wards.…”

Anxiety-Induced Sleep Disturbance and Associated Lifestyle Behaviors According to Sex in Argentine Adolescents

“…For further analysis, this variable was dichotomized into no anxiety-induced sleep disturbance (“never,” “rarely,” and “sometimes”) and anxiety-induced sleep disturbance (“most of time” and “always”). In the absence of a specific cut-off point to determine anxiety-induced sleep disturbance, this choice was based on the categorization made in previous studies ( Vancampfort et al, 2018 ; Smith et al, 2020 ; Werneck et al, 2020 ; Ahinkorah et al, 2021a , b ).…”

“…In this sense, Vancampfort et al (2018) showed that the overall prevalence of anxiety-induced sleep disturbance, defined as being worried about something that keeps you awake at night, was 7.8% in their study involving 181,093 adolescents from 67 countries. Other authors have used a more comprehensive definition of anxiety-induced sleep disturbance, considering it as a condition of low sleep quality, lack of sleep or clinical insomnia as a consequence of loneliness (either social or emotional), worries, sleep disturbance, and disproportionate fear ( Joyce-Beaulieu and Sulkowski, 2016 ; Ahinkorah et al, 2021b ).…”