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[26]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              AJDHS.COM 

 

 

Available online at ajdhs.com 

Asian Journal of Dental and Health Sciences 
Open Access to Dental and Medical Research 

Copyright  © 2024 The  Author(s): This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the CC BY-NC 4.0 
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium for non-commercial use provided 

the original author and source are credited  

 

 

Factors Contributing to Sleep Disorders Among Young Adults 

Pallav Dave * 

Regulatory Compliance Analyst, Louisville, KY,40223, USA 

Article Info: 
_____________________________________________ 
Article History: 

Received   07 April 2024     
Reviewed  10 May 2024 
Accepted   02 June 2024 
Published 15 June 2024 

_____________________________________________ 
Cite this article as:  

Dave P, Factors Contributing to Sleep Disorders 
Among Young Adults, Asian Journal of Dental and 
Health Sciences. 2024; 4(2):26-31 

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22270/ajdhs.v4i2.76    
_____________________________________________ 

*Address for Correspondence:   

Pallav Dave, Regulatory Compliance Analyst, 
Louisville, KY,40223, USA 

Abstract 
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Sleep disorders are increasingly being reported among young adults. The recent Gallup Survey is an 
indication of the magnitude of the problem more so among young Americans. Sleep is important for 
good health and well-being. Different studies have shown the negative effects of sleep disorders on 
overall health and well-being. Sleep deprivation and disorders increase the risk of depression and 
anxiety. It also increases the risk of diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and heart attack. Sleep disorders 
occur because of a number of factors including psychosocial stressors, chronic pain, caffeine intake, 
smoking, lack of physical activity, poor sleep environment, use of screens before bedtime, and 
alcohol consumption. These factors are prevalent among the youth which explains the increased risk 
of sleep disorders in this population. Addressing sleep disorders is vital because they are associated 
with poor functioning. Individuals who report sleep disorders tend to have lower work productivity, 
increased risk of accidents, and poor health. Lifestyle modifications can help to address the growing 
problem of sleep disorders among young adults.  

keywords: Sleep disorders, insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, sleep deprivation, daytime 
sleepiness 

 

Introduction 

Although it is an area that is still greatly understudied, research 
on sleep disorders has been gaining traction because more and 
more people are reporting the problem and the impact it is 
having on their health and overall well-being. Sleep disorders 
cause a lot of distress to individuals affected affecting key 
aspects of their lives including health, work, productivity, and 
social life.1 Although sleep disorders can occur at any age, they 
are very common among young adults, with one study showing 
that one in every five young adults suffered from one sleep 
disorder or another.2 Some of the common sleep disorders that 
are reported among young adults are chronic insomnia, severe 
obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and 
narcolepsy. Addressing sleep disorders is very important. 
Different studies have linked sleep disorders to mental health 
problems and chronic conditions including depression, anxiety, 
obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions.3,4,5,6,7 In 
addition to mental health problems, sleep disorders affect work 
productivity.8 Some studies have linked sleep disorders to poor 
outcomes in diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart 
disease.9,10,11 This means that sleep deprivation increases the 
risk of morbidity and mortality from these conditions. Other 
studies have linked sleep disorders to increased safety 
incidents at work, on the road, and increased absenteeism.8,12,13 

Addressing sleep disorders is paramount. With projections 
showing that sleep disorders are likely to increase in the coming 
decades, more negative impacts of these disorders on overall 
health and well-being are expected. Factors such as 
psychosocial stressors, smoking, lack of physical activity, and 
alcohol consumption are some of the factors that contribute to 
sleep disorders such as chronic insomnia among young 
adults.14 Besides, the modern lifestyle is contributing to a lack 
of sleep. For instance, people are getting busier with work 

finding little time to rest because of taking more shifts. Also, the 
use of phones among young people during bedtime is 
contributing to increasing cases of sleep disorders.15 Therefore, 
ensuring young adults get the right amount of sleep on a regular 
basis is vital for their overall health, productivity, and well-
being.  

The aim of this review is to investigate the factors that 
contribute to sleep disorders among young adults. The review 
will also explore the impact of these disorders on different 
aspects of life, and measures that can be taken to address this 
problem. 

Prevalence of Sleep Disorders in the US 

Although the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the 
Sleep Research Society recommend at least 7 hours of sleep 
every night for adults, more than one-quarter of the adult 
population do not meet this sleep recommendation. Adults are 
the most affected by lack of adequate sleep with 13.5% 
reporting feeling tired or exhausted most of the days.16 
Additionally, in 2020, 14.5% of adults reported that they had 
trouble sleeping most of the days in the last 30 days.17 

According to a 2022 Gallup survey, a quarter of American adults 
(33%) which is about 84 million people report having poor or 
inadequate sleep.18 Among these, young adults under the age of 
30 report struggling with sleep and sleep-related stress. 
Another nationally representative study involving 9,004 adults 
also reported similar findings. Of the 9,004 adults, 30.5% 
reported at least one hour of sleep deficit while another 46.5% 
reported one hour or more of social jet lag.19 Furthermore, 
29.8% reported having trouble sleeping and another 27.2% 
reported daytime sleepiness.19 

                     Open Access                                                                                                                                                                                                          Review Article                                                                           

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Pallav Dave                                                                                                                                  Asian Journal of Dental and Health Sciences. 2024; 4(2):26-31 

[27]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              AJDHS.COM 

In addition to inadequate sleeping hours and trouble falling 
asleep, sleep disorders are also a prevalent issue affecting 
millions of adults in the US.16 Approximately, 30% of American 
adults reported that they had symptoms of insomnia.16 Another 
9% to 385 of the general population reported that they were 
suffering from sleep apnea.16 Of the people who reported 
experiencing insomnia, 10% reported that insomnia affected 
their daily activities.16 Other sleep disorders that affect 
American adults are restless leg syndrome which affects about 
2 to 7.2% of the population, narcolepsy which affects 0.02 to 
0.04% of the population, and hypersomnolence (also known as 
excessive sleepiness) which affects 5 to 10% of the general 
population.16 The extent of sleep disorders among Americans is 
documented in a study by Acquavella et al.20 The study reports 
that the number of Americans who seek care for sleep disorders 
almost doubled between 2013 and 2016.20 The study reported 
that for 100,000 people who sought treatment for narcolepsy, 
the rates increased from 38.9% in 2013 to 44.3% in 2016.20 For 
obstructive sleep apnea, the numbers increased by 41%.20 
Increases were also reported for rapid periodic limb movement, 
rapid eye movement, and idiopathic hypersomnia.20 The 
increment in healthcare utilization and expenditure for sleep 
disorders is also proof that the number of Americans struggling 
with sleep disorders is increasing.21  

When it comes to sociodemographic factors, adults aged 18 to 
44 years are more likely to report having difficulty falling 
asleep. This group accounted for the highest number of those 
who reported getting fewer hours of sleep than recommended 
and also trouble falling asleep at 38.3% and 15.5% 
respectively.16,17 The percentage of adults who had trouble 
sleeping decreased with age with adults aged 18 to 44 being the 
most affected and those 65 years and older being the least 
affected.17 Young adults particularly those under the age of 30 
reported having greater struggle with sleep which was mostly 
attributed to stress. They also reported that lack of adequate 
sleep had an impact on their lives more so their mood. With 
regard to gender, women are more likely to report struggling 
with sleep than men 17% and 12% respectively.18 In terms of 
race, non-Hispanic White adults were also more likely to report 
having trouble sleeping than non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanics, 
and non-Hispanic Asians.17 

Socioeconomic status and urbanization level are also 
determinant factors when it comes to sleep difficulties. Family 
income was a determinant factor when it came to sleep 
difficulties with the percentage of those who reported trouble 
sleeping reducing with increasing family income.17 In terms of 
urbanization, the number of adults who reported having 
trouble sleeping decreased as the place of residence became 
more urban. Those in rural or non-metropolitan areas were 
more likely to report trouble sleeping at 22.4% compared to 
14.4% in large metropolitan areas.17 

Although more than half of the American population cite sleep 
as a priority, most report having trouble sleeping or poor 
quality of sleep. Based on the statistics above, sleep quality 
remains a prevalent issue for most Americans with the number 
of sleep disorders projected to rise in the coming years. Young 
adults are one of the population groups that is affected by sleep 
disorders with most citing factors such as work, stress, long-
term health conditions, mental activity, and poor mental health 
as some of the factors that affect sleep and sleep quality.18 
Addressing the root causes of sleep disorders can help to 
address the problem and improve the quality of sleep among 
young adults.  

Factors Contributing to Sleep Deprivation and 
Disorders 

Sleep deprivation and disorders are attributed to a number of 
factors. One of these factors is stress. Research has shown that 

stress contributes to poor sleep quality.22,23 According to 
Kalmbach et al. poor sleep quality increases the risk of sleep 
reactivity which is the degree of sleep disruption.22 Sleep 
reactivity in this case is the degree to which stress disrupts 
sleep and causes difficulty falling asleep and remaining 
asleep.22 Exposure to stress from either normal life events or 
major life events causes significant disruption to sleep patterns 
and affects normal sleep function.24 Consequently, sleep 
deprivation triggers the body’s stress response system which 
leads to an elevation of stress hormones, particularly cortisol 
resulting in sleep disruption.25 Stress also prolongs the time one 
takes to sleep which is why it is associated with sleep 
deprivation and the risk of developing major sleep disorders 
such as chronic insomnia. According to the Gallup Survey, stress 
was one of the factors that contributed to poor sleep quality 
among Americans with most noting that experiencing stress 
during the previous day resulted in poor quality of sleep during 
the night.18 Young adults are more prone to stress with factors 
such as loneliness, work, finances, and career decisions being 
major causes of stress in this population.26,27 The high level of 
stress in this population could explain why they are more prone 
to sleep problems compared to other adults. 

Mental health conditions have also been linked to poor sleep 
quality and increased risk of insomnia and hypersomnia. 
Depression, anxiety, sleep deprivation, and sleep disorders are 
linked.14,28 According to Nutt et al. approximately three-
quarters of patients who are depressed report insomnia 
symptoms another 40% report hypersomnia.14 Depression and 
anxiety are also common in people who report insomnia.28 
Sleep disturbance is another symptom that is commonly 
reported in patients with depression with most citing difficulty 
sleeping, waking up at night, difficulty going back to sleep, and 
sleeping for longer periods.14 The Gallup Survey also showed 
that adults who reported symptoms of anxiety and depression 
were more likely to report poor sleep at 44% than adults who 
did not report feelings of anxiety and depression at 28%. 
Evidently, anxiety and depression affect sleep. Considering that 
young adults are more prone to depression and anxiety, they are 
more likely to report sleep deprivation.29 

Other long-term health conditions also increase the risk of sleep 
deprivation and disorders. For instance, individuals who report 
chronic pain are also more report poor sleep quality.18 
According to Haack et al. pain can lead to sleep deficiency and 
can also be a consequence of sleep deficiency.30 Epidemiological 
studies show that individuals who report poor sleep quality and 
inadequate sleep time have a high risk of developing chronic 
pain.31 Disorders such as insomnia are also prevalent in people 
who have chronic pain.32 A high prevalence of insomnia up to 
53% has been reported in people living with chronic pain 
compared to 3% in the control group.33 Pain makes it difficult 
to initiate and maintain sleep which explains the high 
prevalence of insomnia in people living with chronic pain. Other 
than chronic pain being a causative factor for insomnia, 
insomnia is also a causal factor for chronic pain. Some studies 
have established this bidirectional relationship between 
chronic pain and insomnia by noting that sleep impairment 
predicts the onset and worsening of chronic pain.34 Although 
chronic pain is not as commonly reported in young adults as in 
other adult population groups, it is still a prevalent issue in this 
population group. As such, addressing it is important to ensure 
positive outcomes when it comes to addressing sleep disorders. 
Other health conditions that can increase the risk of developing 
sleep disorders are respiratory illnesses such as asthma and 
obesity. Obesity does not directly affect sleep but it increases 
the risk of disorders like obstructive sleep apnea.15 

An additional factor that plays a crucial role when it comes to 
sleep is the sleep environment. Different studies show the 
importance of the sleep environment when it comes to sleep, 



Pallav Dave                                                                                                                                  Asian Journal of Dental and Health Sciences. 2024; 4(2):26-31 

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sleep quality, and sleep environment and how the sleep 
environment impacts sleep patterns.35,36,37 Factors such as light 
exposure, noise, room temperature, and room humidity 
influence sleep.35 Research suggests that for adequate sleep, the 
noise levels should be below 35dB.38 The room temperature 
and humidity should also be ambient and range between 17 and 
28 °C humidity at 40–60%.38 Other factors that are vital to 
ensure good sleep quality are air quality and proper ventilation. 
All these factors are instrumental in supporting adequate and 
quality sleep. The significance of these factors when it comes to 
sleep quality explains why the physical environment is a key 
determinant factor when it comes to sleep health and sleep 
disorders. Billings et al. note that the physical environment 
comprises the natural environment, the built environment, and 
the ambient environment.36 The physical environment refers to 
how the neighborhood is constructed, designed and planned. 
This environment has an influence on factors such as 
walkability, social engagement, crowding, and physical activity. 
The natural environment comprises features such as green 
spaces, water bodies, soil quality, and air quality of an area. The 
ambient environment comprises features such as 
neighborhood lighting, sounds, temperature, humidity, and 
atmosphere. All these factors play a crucial role in influencing 
sleep quality. For instance, a noisy neighborhood is not likely to 
create an ambient environment for quality sleep. Individuals in 
such neighborhoods are likely to experience sleep disruption, 
insufficient sleep, delayed sleep and even insomnia.36 A study 
by Altun et. established that noise was an environmental 
stressor and a main contributing factor to poor sleep 
experiences among university students.39 The built 
environment is also instrumental when it comes to sleep. Living 
in a neighborhood that can be considered disadvantaged or 
dilapidated can have a negative impact on sleep.35 In such 
neighborhoods, factors such as safety concerns, noise, and 
crowding come to play. All these factors affect sleep quality 
more so sleep onset, struggling to remain asleep, and even 
hyperarousal. Research has shown that living in a 
disadvantaged neighborhood increases the risk of insomnia.40  

An additional factor that is emerging as a key contributor to 
sleep deprivation and sleep disorders is screen time. Screen 
time before bed affects young people significantly. With most 
young people reporting using screens before bed, sleep 
deprivation and disorders are likely to become common.41 
Research has shown that using screens before bed has a 
significant impact on sleep quality.15,42,43 Screens, more so 
smartphone and computer screens emit blue light which has 
been shown to suppress the production of melatonin a key 
hormone that is vital for the sleep-wake cycle. According to a 
study by Falbe et al., children who slept near a screen had 20.6 
fewer minutes of sleep.44 They also had less rest. Similarly, 
children who slept in a room that had a TV had 18 minutes of 
less sleep.44 Therefore, using screens before bedtime affects 
sleep quality and can contribute to sleep disorders such as 
insomnia in the long term. 

Caffeine intake is an additional factor that has been shown to 
contribute to sleep deprivation and sleep disorders. Research 
has shown that caffeine intake near bedtime affects sleep 
quality and is one of the factors that is reported to make 
individuals feel tired in the morning.45,46 According to Drake et 
al., caffeine intake up to 3 to 6 hours before bedtime contributes 
to sleep disturbances.45 Caffeine intake also contributes to 
shorter sleep duration, increases wake time, and increases 
daytime sleepiness.15 The recommendation to avoid caffeine 
before bedtime as one of the sleep hygiene practices is also an 
indication that caffeine affects sleep quality. Caffeine has also 
been shown to help address deficits that are associated with 
fatigue which increases overdependence and the risk of 
developing disorders such as insomnia.46 The high dependence 
on caffeine creates a cycle where individuals have to continue 

to take it to address the effects of fatigue because of inadequate 
sleep the previous night. Because of their busy schedules and 
other life responsibilities, young adults tend to consume high 
volumes of caffeine which increases the risk of sleep 
deprivation significantly. Another study showed that caffeine 
consumption was frequent among young adults.47  

Work hours, alcohol consumption before bedtime, mattress 
comfort, and spine support also increase the risk of sleep 
disorders. Working long shift hours more so at night is 
associated with poor sleep outcomes. Research has shown that 
shift work impacts sleep and even contributes to a condition 
known as Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD).48 Some of the 
common manifestations of individuals who report SWSD are 
trouble sleeping, fatigue, and excessive sleepiness. Ganesan et 
al., also report that working during night shifts affects alertness 
and performance, more so if an individual works for subsequent 
nights.49 The comfort of the mattress and its ability to provide 
spine support also matter when it comes to sleep quality. 
Individuals who have mattresses that do not provide comfort 
and spine support tend to report bad night’s sleep.18 Another 
factor that increases the risk of sleep disorders more so in 
young adults is alcohol dependence. According to Brower, sleep 
problems are more common among alcoholics with the most 
commonly reported being having trouble sleeping and having 
fewer hours of sleep time.50 Alcohol increases the risk of 
chronic sleep disturbance and contributes to a lower slow 
wave.51 In terms of sleep disturbance, alcohol dependence 
increases the risk of persistent sleep abnormalities. In addition 
to sleep disturbance, alcohol increases the risk of sleep apnea. 
People who have insomnia are also likely to result to alcohol to 
aid sleep.50  

Although a lot of young adults are increasingly becoming aware 
of the importance of sleep on their overall health and well-
being, getting adequate sleep still remains a major challenge. 
The impact of inadequate sleep on overall health and well-being 
is significantly documented. Lack of good quality sleep affects 
physical and mental health and contributes to a high risk of 
developing depression and anxiety. It also affects other aspects 
of life such as work productivity and social well-being.  

Impact of Sleep Disorders 

Addressing sleep disorders among young adults is important 
because of the significant connection between sleep disorders, 
poor mental health, poor physical health and chronic diseases. 
Sleep deprivation increases the risk of obesity, high blood 
pressure, diabetes, and heart attack.16 When it comes to obesity, 
research shows that short sleep duration increases an 
individual’s risk because it alters metabolic profiles more so 
insulin, cortisol, leptin, and ghrelin all of which are known to 
increase the risk of sleep loss.52 Alterations in these profiles also 
increase appetite which explains why individuals who do not 
get adequate sleep tend to consume more calories.53 These 
individuals also tend to have lower energy expenditure which 
explains the link between sleep deprivation and a high risk of 
developing obesity. According to Knutson and Van Cauter, 
inadequate sleep causes the dysregulation of the 
neuroendocrine control of appetite, leads to a reduction of 
leptin which is responsible for satiety, and increases ghrelin, 
which is the hormone responsible for leading to hunger.9 Some 
studies have established the risk of obesity to be as high as 80% 
for every hour of sleep lost.54 Cooper et al. also established that 
people who slept less than 7 hours every night had a higher 
body mass index and obesity than those who slept more.55 The 
link between obesity and sleep disorders has been established 
early in life with one study showing sleeping problems in 
childhood increase the likelihood of obesity in young 
adulthood.56 Sleep disorders have also been linked to increased 
risk of other chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular 
disease, and high blood pressure.9,10,11 The link between sleep 



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deprivation and the risk of developing chronic diseases shows 
that sleep disorders have a detrimental impact on health. For 
young adults, such impacts can lead to negative health 
outcomes and affect their quality of life. As such, there is a need 
to put measures in place to address sleep disorders.  

The risk of poor mental health is also elevated in individuals 
who are suffering from sleep disorders. Some of the mental 
health problems that are likely to be reported in individuals 
who are suffering from sleep disorders are depression and 
mood disorders. The Gallup Survey reported that lack of sleep 
had a significant impact on mood with most participants 
indicating that lack of sleep impacted their ability to have fun.18 
Other mood changes that are associated with inadequate sleep 
are irritability, lack of motivation, and anxiety. Insomnia is 
significantly implicated in depression with the relationship 
being bi-directional 14,57 Patients who have depression tend to 
have insomnia symptoms and insomnia increases the risk of 
depression.57 Depression and its effect on mood are not the only 
effects of sleep disorders on mental health. Sleep disorders and 
sleep problems also increase the risk of suicidal ideation.15,58,59  

Sleep disorders also impact other aspects of life such as physical 
and social functioning. For instance, increased occurrence of 
road and work accidents is one of the consequences of 
insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and sleep apnea.1 Sleep 
disorders increase tiredness, fatigue, and excessive daytime 
sleepiness which leads to compromised cognitive 
performance.13 Compromised cognitive performance increases 
the risk of accidents. In a study comprising 35,004 drivers, 
about 16.9% had at least one sleep disorder. The most reported 
were insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, hypersomnia, and 
narcolepsy.60 8.9% also reported at least one episode of 
sleepiness behind the wheel every month. 31.1% had near-miss 
accidents of which 50% were sleep-related. Of the 2520 drivers 
who reported an accident, 146 of those accidents were 
attributed to sleep deprivation with the most risk of accidents 
being reported in drivers with hypersomnia and narcolepsy.60 
The findings from this study were similar to those by Liu et al.61 
Liu et al. established that sleep disorders impacted road safety 
and increased the likelihood of crash.61 Females with restless 
legs syndrome and drivers with symptoms of narcolepsy and 
insomnia had a higher risk of a crash or near-crash.61 Drivers 
with SWSD also had higher rates of crashes. Similar findings 
were reported for drivers with sleep apnea. Other problems 
that were reported were unsafe maneuvers. Increased risk of 
accidents is not only reported on roads but also at workplaces. 
A systematic review by Uehli et al. established that workers 
with sleep problems were more likely to report work injuries 
with the risk being 1.62 times higher than workers who did not 
report sleep problems.12 The systematic review also 
established that 13% of injuries reported at work were 
attributed to fatigue, sleepiness, and sleep disorders.12  

Sleep disorders also affect work productivity, with most 
individuals who report sleep disorders reporting that they 
compromise different aspects of productivity such as 
concentration, difficulty performing expected duties, increased 
errors, and likelihood of absenteeism.1 According to the Gallup 
Survey, a poor night of sleep costs the economy approximately 
$44.6 billion every year with most workers who reported poor 
sleep quality being likely to skip or miss work.18 The survey also 
reported 2.29 days of unplanned absenteeism each month 
because of poor sleep quality.18 Another study of young adults 
reported greater workplace productivity loss among 
individuals with sleep disorders at 164 hours/year compared 
to 30 hours/year in those without sleep disorders.62 Similarly, a 
national American poll showed that sleep disorders affected 
different aspects of work performance including the ability to 
concentrate, increased likelihood of making mistakes, 

organization problems, decreased productivity, absenteeism, 
falling asleep at work, and failing to complete assigned tasks.8  

Good sleep is vital for good health and well-being. Sleep 
disorders lead to negative health effects, poor daily functioning, 
and low quality of life. Although a number of strategies 
including medication and supplements can be used to treat 
sleep disorders, lifestyle modifications in the long-term can be 
more effective. For instance, avoiding alcohol and caffeine 
before bedtime can lead to positive impact on sleep. Also, 
having a routine bedtime and limiting nap time can lead to a 
positive impact on sleep. Other measures that can improve 
sleep quality are having a good sleep environment, exercising 
regularly, and good diet.  

Conclusion 

The number of sleep disorders reported among young people is 
increasing. As people become busier with work and other 
aspects of life, the number of sleep hours is decreasing which is 
contributing to increased numbers of sleep disorders. 
Addressing sleep disorders is important. They cause a lot of 
distress and affect key aspects of life including health, work, 
productivity, and social life. The risk of depression, anxiety, 
obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases is 
high in people with sleep disorders. The risk of road and work 
accidents is also high when sleep disorders are present. Other 
negative effects associated with sleep disorders are poor work 
productivity, absenteeism, increased likelihood of making 
mistakes, and failure to complete assigned tasks. Addressing 
sleep disorders is important. As more people report sleep 
problems, the negative impact of these disorders on the quality 
of life is expected to worsen. Besides, factors that contribute to 
sleep disorders such as life stressors, smoking, inadequate 
physical activity, alcohol consumption, screentime before 
bedtime, and caffeine are getting worse due to modern lifestyle 
changes. Therefore, the number of young adults affected by 
sleep disorders is projected to worsen necessitating the need 
for measures to address the problem.  

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Pallav Dave                                                                                                                                  Asian Journal of Dental and Health Sciences. 2024; 4(2):26-31 

[30]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              AJDHS.COM 

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