Discrimination and Sleep: Differential Effects by Type and Coping Strategy.

Experiencing discrimination can negatively affect sleep. But some coping strategies may reduce the negative impact of discrimination on sleep. This study investigated the link between multiple forms of discrimination (i.e., everyday and major lifetime) and various aspects of sleep, including quality, efficiency, and sleep disturbances. We also investigated whether the use of active coping (e.g., discussing discriminatory experiences) and passive coping (e.g., keeping discriminatory experiences to oneself) improved or worsened sleep outcomes. The study analyzed survey data from 602 Latinx adults. Individuals reported on their sleep, discrimination, and the coping strategies they used in response to discriminatory experiences. Everyday discrimination was related to poor sleep quality and more sleep disturbances. Lifetime discrimination was related to all sleep outcomes. Among those reporting more everyday discrimination, using both active and passive coping strategies was associated with poor sleep quality. Using any type of active coping was related to more sleep disturbances among individuals who reported more major lifetime discrimination. Selecting a coping strategy that is protective may depend on the frequency and type of discrimination.