Abstract
Abstract Introduction Sleep is influenced by a set of multilevel factors including race and ethnicity. There is overwhelming evidence supporting that sleep quality is poorer within nonwhite groups. Race-based stressors and discrimination are believed to be among the logical explanation of these widespread racial/ethnic disparities in sleep health. This study aimed to highlight the effects of discrimination on sleep related impairments among Black adults. Methods Our sample included 280 Blacks and African Americans enrolled in two NIH-funded community-based sleep studies: ESSENTIAL and MOSAIC. Participants were recruited between January 2020 and April 2022 in the New York City or Tri-State area (n=101; 36%) and South Florida (n=179; 64%). Data were gathered on demographics, sleep disturbance, activity, stress, and support using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), PROMIS Sleep-Related Impairment (SRI) questionnaire (short form 8a), Godin Leisure-Time Exercise questionnaire, Everyday Discrimination Scale, stressful life events experienced within the past year, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Correlation analyses were conducted among continuous variables to explore associations among sleep, activity, support, discrimination, and stress. Controlling for age, race/ethnicity, and sex, multilinear regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between stressful life event exposure, discrimination, social support, and activity on sleep impairment. Results Of the 280 participants, 63% were female (n = 177) and the mean age was 43.4 years. A total of 36% (n = 101) were from the New York City/Tri-State area, while 64% (n = 179) were from the South Florida region. Controlling for age, race/ethnicity, physical activity, non-race related stressors, social support, and sex, everyday discrimination was the strongest predictor of sleep related impairments (SRI) [β = -0.198, p < 0.05]. Sex was positively associated with SRI scores [β = 0.167, p = 0.05]. On average, women reported higher SRI scores. Conclusion In this study, we found that among Blacks and African Americans in the New York City, Tri-State areas, and South Florida areas, during the Covid-19 pandemic, greater discrimination experience was associated with higher level of sleep-related impairments. Support (if any) K01HL135452, K07AG052685, R01AG072644, R01HL152453, R01MD007716, R01HL142066, R01AG067523, R01AG056031, and R01AG075007