Media use and insomnia after terror attacks in France

J Psychiatr Res. 2018 Mar:98:47-50. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.12.006. Epub 2017 Dec 16.

Abstract

Direct exposure to traumatic events often precipitates sleep disorders. Sleep disturbance has also been observed amongst those indirectly exposed to trauma, via mass media. However, previous work has focused on traditional media use, rather than contemporary social media. We tested associations between both traditional and social media consumption and insomnia symptoms following 2015 terror attacks in Paris France, controlling for location and post-traumatic symptomology. 1878 respondents, selected to represent the national French population, completed an internet survey a month after the Bataclan attacks (response rate 72%). Respondents indicated different media use, post-traumatic stress and insomnia. Controlling for demographics, location and PTSD, insomnia was associated with both traditional (β 0.10, P = .001) and social media use (β 0.12, P = .001). Associations between social media and insomnia were independent of traditional media use. Interventions targeted at social media may be particularly important following mass trauma.

Keywords: Anxiety; Post-traumatic; Sleep; Stress disorders; Terrorism.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • France / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychological Trauma / complications
  • Psychological Trauma / epidemiology*
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / etiology
  • Social Media / statistics & numerical data*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / etiology
  • Terrorism / statistics & numerical data*
  • Young Adult