MPH student publishes research linking nightmares to adolescent suicide risk
Midterms are a stressful period for most students. For Elizabeth Amadasu, it was also a period that coincided with an important step in her research journey. The first-year Master of Public Health student in the College of Public Health published her first-ever first-author manuscript in the Journal of Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, contributing to the growing research on sleep disturbances and suicide risk in adolescents.
Her research paper titled “Nightmares and capability for suicide: Implications in adolescents at high-risk for suicide” examines the relationships between nightmares and suicidality in high-risk adolescents, a study inspired by both her current role at Children’s Health and an earlier project examining depressive symptom presentation in underserved youth.
After two years with the Suicide Prevention and Resilience program at Children’s Health, or SPARC, where she primarily works as a data analyst, an opportunity arose to examine nightmare frequency in SPARC’s clinical population. The Virginia native recognized the potential to further explore nightmares as a part of her emerging research interests.
In a previous project, Amadasu examined race and socioeconomic differences in depressive symptom presentation among suicidal youth. Noting that sleep disturbances were reported more frequently by Black youth and lower socioeconomic status youth, the MPH student whose focus is on maternal and child health took to the literature to better understand the relationship between sleep problems and adolescent suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Shortly after, she found that nightmares were a common, yet understudied risk factor for adolescent suicidality and her statistical analyses supported this.
Guided and encouraged by the mentorship of sleep psychologist Dr. David Brown and cross-cultural psychologist Dr. Sunita Stewart, Amadasu felt driven to take on the development of a manuscript.
“Dr. Stewart was the biggest champion of my expanding on the project and submitting it for publication," Amadasu said. "She’s taught me so much about scientific writing and the importance of grounding your research in theory.”
Amadasu’s study which was guided by the Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide explores the role of nightmares in the progression from suicidal ideation to suicide attempt. “An individual could experience suicidal ideation without ever attempting. The interpersonal theory explains that alongside suicidal thoughts there must be an additional potentiator to push an individual to make an attempt,” Amadasu clarifies. “My study, explored whether nightmare frequency and severity might serve as that potentiator in high-risk adolescents.”
Beginning her research journey in the years following her graduation from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, the recent graduate spent her first gap year as a victim-witness advocate and clinical research coordinator for the Grady Trauma Project in Atlanta. Both roles prioritize direct service in the community and highlight the experiences of vulnerable groups. Since moving back to her hometown and taking up the role at SPARC, Amadasu has expanded on her commitment to community-based work and advancing her research skillset. Her decision to pursue an MPH was guided by her journey and experiences thus far.
“I’ve always had an interest in community health and the social and systemic factors that influence our behaviors," Amadasu said. "This felt like a logical next step in my journey to becoming a well-rounded clinician.”
Noting that the journey has been far from easy, Amadasu cites that balancing independent research alongside full-time work and coursework is a challenge that she is still adjusting to.
“The opportunity to be involved with all of these roles is a privilege and being a part of the research community as a person of color allows me to provide a unique perspective,” Amadasu said.
After resubmitting her paper following a request for minor edits, Amadasu received notice of its acceptance shortly after.
“My experience with the review process was very encouraging and affirming as a first-time author," Amadasu said. “I truly couldn’t have published without their mentorship and expertise as their feedback and contributions were integral to the success of the paper.”
As a takeaway from her study and to advance suicide prevention efforts, Amadasu would like readers to know that there are treatments available for those experiencing frequent nightmares.
“In my review of the literature, I found that individuals rarely seek help for nightmares because they are either not aware of the solutions, or they think nightmares do not require the assistance of professional help," Amadasu said. "Hopefully, we can begin to shift the narrative and raise awareness on the impact sleep issues have on mental health.”
Although new to the field of public health, Amadasu is enjoying her journey so far. She currently holds the position of first-year representative in the Public Health Student Government Association.
“It is evident here [in the College of Public Health] that we are a service-based college,” Amadasu said. “I love that everyone, from the faculty to the staff, genuinely values community wellness as much as I do.”
Following the early success of her publication, Amadasu continues her work in adolescent mental health by expanding her research on marginalized youth as she wraps her first year at UNT Health.