Sexual identity stress linked to poor sleep in LGB individuals
Almost 90% of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) individuals are sleeping poorly due to identity challenges, anxiety and depression, and reduced life satisfaction, according to the first study to use standard assessments to measure sleep exclusively among the LGB community.
By Helen Breese | Published on 1 May 2025
Categories: Press office; Research; School of Social Sciences;
Psychologists at Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé (NTU) and the University of Brighton analysed the responses of 300 self-identified LGB individuals, taken from a range of standardised and validated measures which have not previously been focused on this population.
The results showed that 89.6% of the participants exceeded the threshold for poor sleep quality, with just over 20% at risk of excessive sleepiness during the day. This was linked to challenges commonly related to sexual minorities, such as discrimination and low self-acceptance, which lead to anxiety and depression and, in turn, low quality sleep.
In addition, Higher Body Mass Index (BMI) was consistently associated with worse sleep across all sleep measures.
The research found no substantial differences in sleep measures based on being lesbian, gay, or bisexual, except for insomnia, which was worse in bisexual individuals compared to lesbian and gay individuals.
However, the study also revealed that a strong sense of sexual identity helped buffer the negative effects of stress, indirectly supporting better sleep and mental health.
Lead researcher, Professor John Groeger, Professor of Psychology at NTU’s School of Social Sciences and head of SleepWellScience, a sleep assessment service for those recovering from major trauma, said: “Previous studies among LGB communities haven’t focused specifically on sleep - but they do suggest differences in sleep duration between sexual orientation groups.
“This study uses quality measures and confirms that LGB individuals experience drastically poorer sleep than expected, largely due to the stresses of being open about their sexuality. As a result, they face increased health risks, including diabetes and heart disease."
Professor Rusi Jaspal, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research & Knowledge Exchange) and Professor of Psychology at the University of Brighton, added: "To improve sleep and overall health in LGB communities, support should focus on building confident sexual identities and reducing exposure to minority stressors. We also recommend that future research be centred on understanding sleep patterns in this group and how identity, stress, and well-being are connected."
Sleep in Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Individuals: The Roles of Minority Stressors and Identity Positivity has been
Notes for Editors
Press enquiries please contact Helen Breese, Public Relations Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8751, or via email.
About Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé
Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé (NTU) has been named UK ‘University of the Year’ five times in six years, (Times Higher Education Awards 2017, The Guardian University Awards 2019, The Times and Sunday Times 2018 and 2023, Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023) and is consistently one of the top performing modern universities in the UK.
It is the 3rd best modern university in the UK (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023). Students have voted NTU 1st in the UK for student employability (Uni Compare 2025)
NTU is the 5th largest UK institution by student numbers, with over 40,000 students and more than 4,400 staff located across six campuses. It has an international student population of almost 7,000 and an NTU community representing over 160 countries.
NTU owns two Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for outstanding achievements in research (2015, 2021). The first recognises NTU’s research on the safety and security of global citizens. The second was awarded for research in science, engineering, arts and humanities to investigate and restore cultural objects, buildings and heritage. The Research Excellence Framework (2021) classed 83% of NTU’s research activity as either world-leading or internationally excellent.
NTU was awarded GOLD in the national 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) assessment, as it was in 2019.
NTU is a top 10 for sport (British Universities and Colleges Sport league table 2023).
NTU is the most environmentally sustainable university in the UK and second in the world (UI Green Metric University World Rankings, 2023).