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Examining Sleep-Related Problems in Youth With Misophonia

Wagner, Kevin M. ; Cervin, Matti LU ; Rast, Catherine E. ; Parnes, Mered ; Murphy, Nicholas ; Spencer, Samuel ; Storch, Eric A. and Guzick, Andrew G. (2026) In Journal of Clinical Psychology 82(3). p.330-337
Abstract

The relationship between misophonia and sleep-related problems (SRPs) in youth is underexplored. This paucity of research is concerning because SRPs might be elevated among youth with misophonia. If left untreated, SRPs can contribute to long-term health consequences. Thus, in this study we examined the link between misophonia and SRPs in youth aged 8 to 17. In this study, we compared SRPs in 102 children and adolescents with clinically significant misophonia to SRPs in a normative youth sample and a sample of 94 youth with anxiety disorders. We also examined the extent to which SRPs were associated with misophonia severity. Approximately 30% of youth with misophonia endorsed clinical levels of SRPs. SRPs were more prevalent in youth... (More)

The relationship between misophonia and sleep-related problems (SRPs) in youth is underexplored. This paucity of research is concerning because SRPs might be elevated among youth with misophonia. If left untreated, SRPs can contribute to long-term health consequences. Thus, in this study we examined the link between misophonia and SRPs in youth aged 8 to 17. In this study, we compared SRPs in 102 children and adolescents with clinically significant misophonia to SRPs in a normative youth sample and a sample of 94 youth with anxiety disorders. We also examined the extent to which SRPs were associated with misophonia severity. Approximately 30% of youth with misophonia endorsed clinical levels of SRPs. SRPs were more prevalent in youth with misophonia compared to normative data from the general youth population (d = 1.22) and similar to SRPs in youth with anxiety disorders (d = 0.13). Youth with more severe misophonia symptoms had greater difficulties with SRPs and this association was attenuated but still significant when adjusting for gender, age, and internalizing and externalizing symptoms. In this study, we provided the first evidence of substantial issues with SRPs in youth with misophonia. Importantly, there was a moderate association between misophonia severity and SRPs, indicating that SRPs should be carefully assessed and potentially addressed in treatment for youth with misophonia. We discussed suggestions for clinical practice and future research.

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author
; ; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
adolescents, anxiety, misophonia, sleep, youth
in
Journal of Clinical Psychology
volume
82
issue
3
pages
8 pages
publisher
John Wiley & Sons Inc.
external identifiers
  • scopus:105024105923
  • pmid:41355217
ISSN
0021-9762
DOI
10.1002/jclp.70075
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s). Journal of Clinical Psychology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
id
0f8b4eb1-3c82-467e-a804-2407d929a364
date added to LUP
2026-03-03 12:36:18
date last changed
2026-04-14 20:44:32
@article{0f8b4eb1-3c82-467e-a804-2407d929a364,
  abstract     = {{<p>The relationship between misophonia and sleep-related problems (SRPs) in youth is underexplored. This paucity of research is concerning because SRPs might be elevated among youth with misophonia. If left untreated, SRPs can contribute to long-term health consequences. Thus, in this study we examined the link between misophonia and SRPs in youth aged 8 to 17. In this study, we compared SRPs in 102 children and adolescents with clinically significant misophonia to SRPs in a normative youth sample and a sample of 94 youth with anxiety disorders. We also examined the extent to which SRPs were associated with misophonia severity. Approximately 30% of youth with misophonia endorsed clinical levels of SRPs. SRPs were more prevalent in youth with misophonia compared to normative data from the general youth population (d = 1.22) and similar to SRPs in youth with anxiety disorders (d = 0.13). Youth with more severe misophonia symptoms had greater difficulties with SRPs and this association was attenuated but still significant when adjusting for gender, age, and internalizing and externalizing symptoms. In this study, we provided the first evidence of substantial issues with SRPs in youth with misophonia. Importantly, there was a moderate association between misophonia severity and SRPs, indicating that SRPs should be carefully assessed and potentially addressed in treatment for youth with misophonia. We discussed suggestions for clinical practice and future research.</p>}},
  author       = {{Wagner, Kevin M. and Cervin, Matti and Rast, Catherine E. and Parnes, Mered and Murphy, Nicholas and Spencer, Samuel and Storch, Eric A. and Guzick, Andrew G.}},
  issn         = {{0021-9762}},
  keywords     = {{adolescents; anxiety; misophonia; sleep; youth}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{3}},
  pages        = {{330--337}},
  publisher    = {{John Wiley & Sons Inc.}},
  series       = {{Journal of Clinical Psychology}},
  title        = {{Examining Sleep-Related Problems in Youth With Misophonia}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jclp.70075}},
  doi          = {{10.1002/jclp.70075}},
  volume       = {{82}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}