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01-06-2014 | Original Article

Sleep difficulties and the development of depression and anxiety: a longitudinal study of young Australian women

Authors: Melinda L. Jackson, Ewa M. Sztendur, Neil T. Diamond, Julie E. Byles, Dorothy Bruck

Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health | Issue 3/2014

Abstract

Previous longitudinal studies have demonstrated that poor sleep may precede depression and anxiety. The current study examined the association between self-reported sleeping difficulties and new onset depression and anxiety in young women. A nationally representative sample of 9,683 young women from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health was analyzed. Women were surveyed in 2000 (aged 22 to 25 years), 2003, 2006, and 2009. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine the association between sleeping difficulties in 2000 and new-onset depression (excluding postnatal depression) and anxiety at each subsequent survey. Significant increased risk of new onset depression (odds ratio (OR) = 2.6 in 2003; OR = 4.4 in 2006; OR = 4.4 in 2009) and anxiety (OR = 2.4 in 2006; OR = 2.9 in 2009) was found at each follow-up survey in women who reported sleeping difficulties “often” in 2000. Further research is needed to uncover the mechanisms underlying the link between sleep problems and mental health.

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Title: Sleep difficulties and the development of depression and anxiety: a longitudinal study of young Australian women
Authors: Melinda L. Jackson
Ewa M. Sztendur
Neil T. Diamond
Julie E. Byles
Dorothy Bruck
Publication date: 01-06-2014
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health / Issue 3/2014
Print ISSN: 1434-1816
Electronic ISSN: 1435-1102
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-014-0417-8

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Sleep difficulties and the development of depression and anxiety: a longitudinal study of young Australian women

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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