# Acculturation Gap Conflict and Self-Control Mediate the Association Between Negative Affect and Sleep Problems for Hispanic/Latino(a) Adolescents

## TL;DR

This study shows how negative emotions can lead to sleep problems in Hispanic/Latino adolescents through acculturation conflicts and low self-control.

## Contribution

The study identifies acculturation gap conflict and self-control as mediators linking negative affect to sleep problems in H/L adolescents.

## Key findings

- Negative affect predicts higher acculturation gap conflict in H/L adolescents.
- Acculturation gap conflict is associated with lower self-control, which leads to more sleep problems.
- Interventions targeting affect regulation and family relationships may reduce sleep problems in this group.

## Abstract

Background: Adolescent sleep problems are a public health concern, as roughly 60–70% of U.S. teens obtain less sleep than is recommended. Negative affect is a risk factor for adolescent sleep problems. However, factors explaining this association, to our knowledge, have not been explored in Hispanic/Latino(a) (H/L) adolescents. Acculturation gap conflict and low self-control may act as mediators linking negative affect to sleep problems. Methods: A sample of 223 H/L adolescents was assessed at three time points. We hypothesized that acculturation gap conflict and low self-control assessed at Wave 2 would mediate the association between negative affect at Wave 1 and sleep problems at Wave 3. Results: Negative affect predicted higher acculturation gap conflict, which in turn was associated with less self-control, and less self-control then predicted more sleep problems. Conclusions: These findings highlight acculturation gap conflict and low self-control as processes through which negative affect can impact later sleep problems in H/L adolescents. Elucidating modifiable factors impacting sleep health among H/L youth may inform intervention strategies. Targeting affect regulation, as well as improving parent-adolescent relationship quality within the context of acculturative differences, may help reduce sleep problems among this demographic group.