The Association between Sexual Orientation and Sleep Problems: Are there Racial and Ethnic Differences?

Abstract

Using the 2013–2017 National Health Interview Survey, this study examined whether there were significant sexual orientation differences in sleep problems in specific racial and ethnic populations. The analysis had a large sample size and enough statistical power to evaluate any sexual orientation differences or non-differences in sleep problems in Latinx, non-Latinx Black, non-Latinx Asian and Pacific Islander, and non-Latinx White populations. Consistent with recent studies on sexual orientation and sleep problems, this analysis revealed that, for most racial and ethnic groups, there was no significant sexual orientation difference in non-normal sleep duration. Sexual minority adults were significantly more likely to report not feeling rested, trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, and taking medications for sleep than heterosexual adults. There were two notable exceptions in the findings. The first exception was that Latinx sexual minority adults were significantly more likely to report non-normal sleep duration when compared with Latinx heterosexual adults. The second exception was that there was no significant sexual orientation difference in not feeling rested among Asian and Pacific Islander adults.