Sleep patterns and anxiety in children interact to predict later suicidal ideation

Elevated levels of childhood anxiety pose risk for suicide; however, factors that accentuate this risk are unknown. Seventy-one children participated in a longitudinal study investigating anxiety and sleep in childhood (between 7–11 years) and later suicidal ideation (SI; M = 3.3 years later). Sleep was assessed via subjective reports and objective measures (actigraphy and polysomnography). Children with greater anxiety symptoms were at greater risk for later SI when sleep disturbances were present in childhood. Results suggest that sleep disruption may amplify SI risk in anxious children.