Insomnia partially mediates the relationship between anxiogenic and depressogenic traits and state anxiety and depression in college students

Insomnia, anxiety, and depression are common and co-morbid amongst college students. The mechanisms by which trait factors like intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety sensitivity connect to state anxiety and depression is unclear, but insomnia may mediate that relationship. College students (N = 439) were recruited from national and local sources. Participants completed the Sleep Condition Indicator (SCI), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS), Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), and Intolerance of Uncertainty Scales (IUS). All models predicted a significant amount of variability in state anxiety and depression (R2 between 0.24 and 0.32). Mediation analyses revealed that the relationship between anxiogenic and depressogenic traits and state anxiety and depression is significantly mediated by insomnia. Our findings support the role of insomnia in the expression of anxiety and depression in at-risk college students. Clinical sleep intervention, either reactive or prophylactic, may help reduce mental health burden on campus.