Profiles of sleep and depression risk among Caribbean Blacks

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Sleep problems are associated with a host of psychiatric disorders and have been attributed to race disparities in health and wellness. Studies of sleep and mental health do not typically consider within-group differences among Blacks. Thus, our understanding of how the sleep–mental health relationship among Caribbean Blacks is limited. This study identified sleep profiles among Caribbean-born Blacks who reside in the United States.

Design: Latent class analysis and data from the National Survey of American Life Re-interview study were used to identify and compare the associations between 'sleep quality classes,' sociodemographic factors, stress, and depression risk among Caribbean Blacks.

Results: Two sleep quality classes were identified – 'good sleep quality' and 'poor sleep quality' – with each class demonstrating a complex pattern of sleep experiences, and illuminating the association between sleep and depression risk.

Conclusions: Findings provide insight into the influence of sociodemographic factors and social stressors on the sleep experience of Caribbean Blacks and the importance of considering within-group differences to better understand risk and resilience among Caribbean Blacks living in the United States. Findings also highlight the importance of screening for sleep problems in an effort to reduce the burden of depression experienced by this population.