# Sleep disturbance and inhibitory control as proximal predictors of suicidal ideation and behavior: A daily diary and actigraphy study of young adults

> **NIH NIH R21** · FORDHAM UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $214,665

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young adults aged 18-34 in the United States. There is an
urgent need to identify clinically-relevant behavioral factors that are predictive of suicide risk across diverse
populations, as well as to identify the mechanisms through which these factors confer risk. Disturbed sleep has
been identified as a proximal risk factor for suicide outcomes, including ideation and attempts. Importantly,
sleep is modifiable, making it a critical focus of research attention. The proposed study will utilize daily diary
and actigraphy methodologies over 21 days to examine the effects of sleep disturbance—a specific,
modifiable, immediately proximal risk factor for suicide outcomes in young adults—on next day suicidal
ideation and attempt behavior. In addition, we will examine inhibitory control as a time-varying mechanism
through which daily sleep disturbance may confer proximal risk for suicide outcomes. We will fulfill the aims of
RFA-MH-20-326 and NIH Strategic Objective 2.2 by investigating longitudinal relationships of the RDoC
domains of Arousal and Regulatory Systems (construct: sleep disturbance) and Cognitive Systems (construct:
inhibitory control) at multiple units of analysis (units: behavioral, self-report, paradigm) on a daily timescale
over a 21-day period. This study will be conducted with a transdiagnostic, economically disadvantaged, high-
risk sample of diverse young adults (ages 18-34), consistent with NIH’s call to identify biomarkers that predict
suicide outcomes across diverse populations.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10307152
- **Project number:** 5R21MH124902-02
- **Recipient organization:** FORDHAM UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Margaret S. Andover
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $214,665
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-12-01 → 2023-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10307152

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10307152, Sleep disturbance and inhibitory control as proximal predictors of suicidal ideation and behavior: A daily diary and actigraphy study of young adults (5R21MH124902-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10307152. Licensed CC0.

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