Association between non-restorative sleep and psychotic-like experiences among Chinese college students: A latent profile and moderated mediation analysis

Non-restorative sleep (NRS) is a core symptom of insomnia that has considerable consequences for daily life. However, the association between NRS and psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) remains unclear. The current study was designed to explore the relationship between NRS and PLEs as well as the mediation/moderation role of rumination and resilience among college students in China. 3060 college students were recruited from two universities in South China from September 21st to October 26th, 2022. Non-restorative Sleep Scale, 8-item Positive Subscale of the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences, Ruminative Response Scale, and 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale were administered. Latent profile analysis and moderated mediation analysis were performed. 11.3 % participants reported frequent PLEs in the past one month. Three profiles of rumination were identified and named as “low rumination” group (27.7 %), “medium rumination” group (55.3 %), and “high rumination” group (16.9 %). NRS directly predicted PLEs, and rumination played a significant mediation role between NRS and PLEs. Resilience significantly moderated the association between NRS and rumination as well as the association between NRS and PLEs. NRS, rumination and resilience are important predictors to PLEs. Strategies on increasing restorative sleep, decreasing rumination, and enhancing resilience are of great significance in the prevention of PLEs. •Non-restorative sleep is a predictor to psychotic-like experiences.•Rumination is a mediator between non-restorative sleep and PLEs.•Resilience buffers the impact of non-restorative sleep on rumination.•Resilience buffers the impact of non-restorative sleep on PLEs.