0115 Sleep Duration, Negative Foster Care Experiences, and Blood Pressure In Young Adults

• Published in: Sleep (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2019-04, Vol.42 (Supplement_1), p.A47-A48
• Main Authors: Davidson, Ryan D, Rojo-Wissar, Darlynn M, Spira, Adam P, Zhou, Eric S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blood pressure; Foster care; Sleep; Young adults
• ISSN: 0161-8105; 1550-9109
• DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsz067.114

Introduction Traumatic events in childhood are associated with negative long-term health consequences, including sleep disturbances. The chronic stress of foster care involvement is associated with heightened physiological responses. Little research has examined associations between sleep and health in this at-risk population. The present study investigated the relationship among sleep duration, history of negative foster care experiences, and blood pressure measured 7-8 years later in young adults. Methods Participants were from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health and reported a history of foster care involvement (N=66). Regression models examined the associations between self-reported sleep duration (< 7 hours; 7-9 hours; and > 9 hours) at age 18-26 years and systolic and diastolic blood pressure measured 7-8 years later during in-person interview. All models were adjusted for age, race, sex, and self-reported history of hypertension. The presence/absence of negative foster care experiences (self-reported abuse in foster care and/or multiple foster homes) were examined as a potential moderator. In the absence of moderation, they were included as covariates. Results Compared to 7-9 hours, longer sleep duration (> 9 hours) was associated with lower systolic blood pressure (B=-5.79, SE=2.06, p=.006). Negative foster care experiences (27 participants) modified the association between sleep duration and blood pressure (p< 0.01), such that longer sleep was significantly only associated with lower diastolic blood pressure for individuals without negative foster care experiences (B=-15.06, SE=4.17, p=.001). Conclusion Longer sleep may act as a protective factor on blood pressure for individuals who were involved in foster care. Exposure to negative foster care experiences may negate any protective role of sleep duration on blood pressure during young adulthood. Further research utilizing objective sleep measures and longitudinal blood pressure measurement are needed. Sleep duration and negative experiences in foster care may be important factors affecting health in individuals with a history of foster care involvement. Support (If Any) A.P.S. receives grant support from the National Institute on Aging; he received an honorarium from Springer Nature Switzerland AG for Guest Editing a Special Issue of Current Sleep Medicine Reports.