New research analyzing data across the US found that violent crimes committed during the night are due to a common factor that affects most individuals, which is also a health risk.
It was found that adolescents and young adults are more prone to indulge in violence, including self-harm during specific hours of the night.
Research links crimes to disrupted sleep
An analysis by researchers in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson shows that the risk of homicide is at its peak at night, especially between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.
It also shows that young adults with disrupted sleep are more vulnerable and “nocturnal wakefulness” is one of the major reasons for self-harm.
“Nearly 19% of suicides and 36% of homicides occur at night,” the research states. The analysis uses 15 years of data across the US, which shows a “five-fold greater risk for suicide and an eight-fold greater risk for homicide between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.”
The study’s senior author Michael Grandner, PhD said, their review of more than 78,000 suicides and 50,000 homicides helped them find insight into the impact of “the mind after midnight” on dysregulated behaviors.
Inadequate sleep takes a serious toll on mental and physical health. A good night’s sleep allows the brain and the rest of the body to function properly and avoid critical health issues. If you struggle to sleep in a stretch at night, a doctor recommends sticking to three simple lifestyle habits.
How sleeplessness affects the mind and decision-making
The research aims to understand the influence of lack of sleep on the mind and its ability to make rational decisions.
Nocturnal wakefulness, the inability to sleep at night, is one of the biggest contributors to a negative mood when the positive mood is at its lowest. The researchers say the “risk/reward processing is distorted.”
While young adults accounted for more than half of all homicide victims, there was an “unexpected suicide risk among older adults at 6 a.m.” Whereas, those aged between 15 and 24 years of age experienced a greater nighttime risk of taking their lives.
Other factors influencing irrational behaviors at night time include alcohol use, age, and relationship conflicts. The first author of the research, Andres Tubbs, said: “Disrupted sleep may acutely impair rational thought, which can drive impulsive behaviors in vulnerable individuals.”
As there are fewer studies to examine time-of-day trends in violent crime, it is yet to be determined if improved sleep with evidence-based strategies can reduce nocturnal wakefulness and help reduce the risk of violent crimes.
If you are affected by any issues raised in the article or would like someone to speak to, please call the Samaritans for free on 116 123. You can also email them at jo@samaritans.org or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch in the UK. In the US, please visit Samaritans USA for more information.
You can also contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text 741741 to get in touch with the Crisis Text Line. Americans can now call or text 988 to reach out and speak to a counselor.
