Ethnic differences in symptoms of insomnia among adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To provide data on the prevalence of symptoms of disturbed sleep, particularly insomnia, and to ascertain whether there are differentials attributable to ethnic culture or ethnic status.


METHODS
Data were collected from youths (aged 11-17 years) and adult caregivers from a community-based sample of households using personal interviews and questionnaires.


METHODS
Managed-care subscriber populations in metropolitan area of over 4.5 million.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 4175 youths and their caregivers (35.4% European American, 35.4% African American, 20.5% Mexican American, and 8.7% Other American).


METHODS
N/A.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of DSM-IV insomnia-like syndrome in the past month was 4.7%. Females were more likely to report this syndrome, as were lower-income youths. Prevalence for European American youths was 5.3%, 5.2% for African American, and 3.5% Mexican American youths (p > .05). There also were some ethnic differences across symptoms of sleep disturbance that constitute insomnia.


CONCLUSIONS
For most comparisons, subsequent multivariate analyses indicate no significant ethnic difference, supporting the hypothesis that observed ethnic differences are due primarily to the effects of status differences (e.g., age, gender, socioeconomic status, etc.). Insomnia clearly is a major public health problem, with prevalences comparable to mood, anxiety and disruptive behavior disorders among adolescents.
Division of Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, PO Box 20186, 1200 Herman Pressler DR, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Robert.E.Roberts@uth.tmc.edu
Robert E
RE
Roberts
Catherine R
CR
Roberts
Wenyaw
W
Chan
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires