Abstract
Abstract
Introduction:
Sleep disparities exist among Hispanics/Latinos, though little work has characterized individuals at the US-Mexico border, particularly as it relates to acculturation/assimilation. Acculturation refers to the extent that an individual identifies with and engages in the attitudes/practices of a certain culture. At the border, there are issues of cultural exchange, leading to differential degrees of Mexican and Anglo (“White”) acculturation. This study examined the association of acculturation to sleep problems among those of Mexican descent at the US-Mexico border.
Methods:
Data were collected from N=100 adults (age 18–60, 53% female) of Mexican descent in the city of Nogales, AZ (66% not born in the US, 33% 1st-generation). Surveys were presented in English or Spanish. Acculturation was assessed with the Acculturation Scale for Mexican-Americans (ARSMA-II), which has separate scales for Mexican and Anglo acculturation (subscale range 0–4), and a combined “Assimilation” score ([Anglo]-[Mexican]). Insomnia was assessed with the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Sleepiness with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Sleep Quality with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Sleep duration and sleep medication use with PSQI items. Covariates includes age, sex, and education. Regression analyses examined Difference scores associated with ISI, PSQI, and ESS scores, as well as sleep duration and sleep medication use. Post-hoc analyses examined Mexican and Anglo scales separately.
Results:
Mean Mexican acculturation score was 2.90(SD=0.75) and mean Anglo score was 1.94(SD=0.94); mean “Assimilation” score was -0.95(SD=1.23). No associations were found between acculturation and ESS. “Assimilation” was associated with higher ISI (B=0.89;95%CI[0.22,1.57];p=0.010) and PSQI (B=0.82pts;95%CI[0.28,1.36];p=0.004). Higher “Assimilation” was also associated with shorter sleep duration (B=-0.49hrs;95%CI[-0.76,-0.21];p=0.001) and increased sleep medication use (OR=1.62;95%CI[1.02,2.56];p=0.04). In all cases, post-hoc analyses demonstrated that these effects were fully mediated by Anglo acculturation score and not related to Mexican score.
Conclusion:
Among individuals of Mexican descent at the US-Mexico border, a greater degree of Anglo acculturation is associated with poor sleep, insomnia, shorter sleep duration, and increased sleep medication use. These results support the idea that sleep disparities across groups may depend on acculturation, which should be considered in risk screening and interventions.
Support (If Any):
K23HL110216 and the University of Arizona Health Sciences
