0973 SLEEP PATTERNS, DISTURBANCES, AND HYGIENE OF ADOLESCENT FEMALE VICTIMS OF SEX TRAFFICKING AND SEXUAL ABUSE

Abstract

Introduction: The health of survivors of sex trafficking is understudied. Disturbed sleep is often reported among victims of sexual abuse; however, little data are available on the sleep of adolescent victims. The aim of this study was to describe the sleep patterns, disturbances, and hygiene of adolescent female victims of sex trafficking and abuse. Methods: Nineteen adolescent girls (12-17 years), residing in a direct-care facility designed to rehabilitate and house victims of sexual trafficking and abuse, reported their current sleep health with the Childhood Report of Sleep Patterns (CRSP, adolescent version). The CRSP assesses sleep patterns, sleep quality, and indices of sleep disturbances (insomnia, parasomnias, restless legs, snoring, bedtime fears and worries), sleep hygiene (bedtime activities, caffeine, electronics use), and sleepiness. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for all sleep disturbance indices were acceptable (>.70). Characteristics of the sample and relationships among the CRSP indices were determined. ANOVA models computed differences in CRSP indices by sleep quality (goodto- great vs. okay-to-poor). Results: Insufficient sleep (n=12, 63.2%), and okay-to-poor sleep quality (n=11, 57.9%) were present among the majority of girls. About one third (n=6, 31.6%) reported waking almost every night, more than half reported sometimes-to-always experiencing nightmares (n=11, 57.9%), and 10.5% reported frequent snoring (n=2). Greater parasomnia symptoms were associated with frequent snoring (rs=.49, p=.03) and greater insomnia scores (r=.47, p=.04). Greater scores on the bedtime fears and worries scale were associated with greater sleepiness (r=.58, p=.01), parasomnia symptoms (r=.55, p=.02), nightmare frequency (rs=.54, p=.02), and electronics use before bed (r=.53, p=.02). Poor quality sleepers had greater scores on the insomnia (M=16.55, SD=3.83 vs. M=12.25, SD=3.85, F(1,17)=5.81, p=.03) and parasomnia scales (M=3.36, SD=1.43 vs. M=2.25, SD=0.46, Welch's F(1,12.7)=5.81, p=.03) compared to good quality sleepers, but no other indices. Conclusion: In this sample of adolescent female victims of sex trafficking and abuse, the majority experienced poor sleep quality characterized by insomnia and parasomnia symptoms, insufficient sleep duration, frequent awakenings, nightmares, daytime sleepiness, and heightened emotional arousal and electronics use at bedtime. Care settings should assess and manage sleep in this population to ensure proper sleep health.