(PS8-59) Gun Violence Exposure on Social Media: Understanding Its Impact on Adolescent Sleep

Abstract: 

Gun violence is a major public health concern in the United States. Prior research links direct exposure to gun violence and sleep outcomes, such as difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep. However, limited research has evaluated the effects of indirect exposure to gun violence, such as through social media (SM), and sleep among adolescents. Given the major role of SM in teens' lives, research is needed to evaluate the relationship between gun violence exposure on SM and adolescent sleep difficulties. Sleep may be a modifiable factor linking gun violence exposure on SM and negative adolescent mental health outcomes. Adolescents (N= 418; 14 –17 years [M = 15.98, SD = .87]; 55.98% White; 44.74% girls) completed an online survey about the frequency of gun violence experiences on SM and sleep outcomes (i.e., insomnia symptoms, sleep duration [weekdays and weekends], and sleep quality). Linear regressions were used to examine the relationships between gun violence exposure on SM and sleep. Most (73.21%) participants were exposed to gun violence exposure on SM within the last three months. Results indicated that greater frequency of gun violence exposure on SM was associated with higher levels of insomnia symptoms ((B = 0.543, p < 0.001), greater sleep duration on weekends (B = 0.135, p < 0.05), and lower levels of sleep quality (B = 0.085, p < 0.001), controlling for age and gender. No associations were found between gun violence exposure on SM and sleep duration on weekdays. Overall, exposure to gun violence on SM may impact adolescent sleep, particularly insomnia symptoms and sleep quality. Findings suggest that indirect exposure to gun violence can have implications for adolescents' sleep, a modifiable risk factor for various mental health problems. Interventions to reduce gun violence should also consider how to reduce the prevalence of gun violence exposure on SM.