Sleep problems and suicide risk in youth: A systematic review, developmental framework, and implications for hospital treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Sleep problems are transdiagnostic symptoms that confer significant risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) in adults. However, less is known about the sleep-STB association in adolescence-a developmental period when rates of STBs increase drastically, and sleep problems may be particularly pernicious. This article provides a systematic review of research on the sleep-STB association in youth, an overview of changes in sleep regulation during adolescence that may make sleep problems particularly detrimental for youth, and a discussion of the clinical implications of the sleep-STB association for hospitalized youth.

METHOD: The systematic review included all longitudinal studies in which sleep problems were examined as prospective predictors of STBs in adolescents (aged 10-24 years). The search was conducted on December 1, 2017 using PsychINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science databases.

RESULTS: Ten studies qualified for inclusion in this review. Of these, seven studies found at least one type of sleep problem significantly predicted a STB outcome.

CONCLUSIONS: Although findings are mixed, growing research suggests that sleep problems may be a unique risk factor for STBs in youth. Sleep problems may be particularly important intervention target because they are easily assessed across healthcare settings and are amenable to treatment.