Adolescent sleep, distress, and technology use: weekday versus weekend

Sleep irregularity is associated with night-time technology, dysfunctional sleep beliefs and subjective sleep parameters amongst female university students

Sleep irregularity has been linked to multiple deleterious consequences in clinical populations or community adults and adolescents, but little is known about young adults. In this study, we explored the relationships between two measures of sleep regularity and a wide range of factors (lifestyle behaviors, subjective sleep, clinical outcomes, and academic performance) in a sample of female, university students in the United Arab Emirates. A total of 176 participants were recruited. Objective estimates of sleep-wake patterns were obtained using seven-day wrist actigraphy and data were used to calculate daily sleep regularity with the Sleep Regularity Index (SRI) and weekly sleep regularity with the social jetlag (SJL). Subjective sleep measures were also acquired using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep (DBAS), and daytime napping frequency. Self-reported night-time technology use frequency was ascertained using the Technology Use Questionnaire (TUQ). Psychological health was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Objective physical health measurements for body mass index, fasting blood glucose and blood pressure were obtained. No significant associations emerged between sleep regularity and psychological physical health, or academic performance. However, significant relationships were detected between SRI and daytime napping frequency (p-value = 0.0017), PSQI (p-value = 0.0337), and DBAS (p-value = 0.0176), suggesting that daily irregular sleep patterns are associated with more frequent daytime napping, greater dysfunctional sleep beliefs, and poorer subjective sleep quality. Conversely, SJL was significantly associated with the DBAS (p-value = 0.0253), and the TUQ (p-value = 0.0208), indicating that weekly irregular sleep patterns are linked to greater dysfunctional sleep beliefs and increased nighttime technology use. In conclusion, efforts to educate and cultivate sustainable and consistent sleep-wake patterns amongst university students are needed, which can be achieved by raising awareness, promoting good sleep health habits, and minimizing excessive bedtime technology.

Sleep patterns and smartphone use among left-behind children: a latent class analysis and its association with depressive symptoms

Background

Left-behind children in China face challenges in sleep patterns, technology use, and mental health. This study uses an individual-centered approach to derive behavioral profiles associated with depressive symptoms.

Methods

Data from 131,586 left-behind children aged 8 to 18 years from the Chinese Psychological Health Guard for Children and Adolescents Project were analyzed. Participants were recruited from 569 centers across schools, community institutes, orphanages, and children's hospitals throughout China. Latent class analysis was conducted using weekday and weekend sleep duration and smartphone use as indicators. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).

Results

Four distinct classes emerged: Sufficient Sleep Low Users (23.6%), Moderate Sleep Medium Users (25.2%), Limited Sleep High Users (22.1%), and Healthy Sleep Low Users (29.2%). Significant differences in CES-D scores were found between classes (F(3, 131579) = 4929, p <.001, η² = 0.101). The Limited Sleep High Users class reported the highest levels of depressive symptoms (M = 11.60, SE = 0.0658), while the Sufficient Sleep Low Users class reported the lowest (M = 3.67, SE = 0.0346). A linear relationship between sleep duration and depressive symptoms was observed. Significant weekday-weekend differences in smartphone use were noted in the unhealthy categories.

Conclusions

This study reveals complex associations between sleep patterns, smartphone use, and depressive symptoms among left-behind children. The identified behavioral profiles provide insights into population heterogeneity and inform targeted intervention strategies. Findings emphasize the importance of addressing both sleep and technology use in mental health initiatives for this vulnerable population.

Boarding versus day-students: A mixed-methods analysis of sleep and its relationship with psychological distress

BACKGROUND

Boarding students face unique challenges when entering school, including: adapting to a novel environment, where they are separated from family, friends and culture, for up to 40 weeks per year. A particular challenge is sleep. A further challenge is coping with the demands of boarding with its potential impact on psychological well-being.

AIMS

To explore how boarders' sleep differs from that of their day-student peers, and how this relates to psychological well-being.

SAMPLE AND METHODS

309 students (59 boarding students and 250 day-students, at one Adelaide school) completed the School Sleep Habits Survey, Depression-Anxiety-Stress-Scale-21 (DASS-21), and Flourishing Scale. Boarding students additionally completed the Utrecht Homesickness Scale. Thirteen boarding students described experiences of sleeping in boarding through focus groups.

RESULTS

Boarding students, compared to day-students reported 40 minutes more sleep per weeknight (p < .001), with earlier sleep onset (p = .026), and later wake-up (p = .008) times. No significant differences were observed between boarding' and day-students' DASS-21 scores. Hierarchical regression revealed longer total weekday sleep time predicted higher psychological well-being in both boarding and day-students. Additionally, in boarding students, low homesickness-loneliness and homesickness-ruminations further predicted psychological well-being. Thematic analysis of boarding students' focus group responses revealed that night-time routine, and restricting technology use at night facilitated sleep.

CONCLUSIONS

This study supports - in both boarding and day-students - the importance of sleep for adolescent well-being. Sleep hygiene can play an important role in boarding student sleep, especially: regular night-time routine and restricting technology use at night. Finally, these findings suggest that poor sleep and homesickness have an adverse effect on boarding student psychological well-being. This study highlights the importance of strategies which promote sleep hygiene and minimize homesickness, in boarding school students.

Mediating effect of sleep in the association between social media use and mental health among French adolescents during the COVID-19 sanitary crisis

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

Social media use could have deleterious effects on mental health through short sleep duration and poor sleep quality among adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of both sleep duration and sleep quality in the association between social media use and mental health among adolescents.

PATIENTS/METHODS

We used cross-sectional data collected from adolescents in the EXIST pilot project conducted during COVID-19 pandemic. Adolescents self-reported wellbeing (WEMWBS), anxiety and depression (HADS) as mental health outcomes. We used ad-hoc questionnaires to assess social media use during weekdays and weekend days, and sleep duration and quality. Mediation analyses were carried out following Baron and Kenny's method, using adjusted linear regression models.

RESULTS

A total of 340 adolescents (13.5 ± 0.6 years, 45.3 % girls) were included. Greater social media use, poorer sleep quality, and shorter sleep duration were associated with poorer mental health. Greater social media use was associated with poorer sleep quality only during the weekend days. The total effect of social media use during weekend days on anxiety (β = 2.54; 95%CI [-1.59; 6.68]) was significantly conveyed through sleep quality (β = 1.22; 95%CI [0.17; 2.62]; mediated proportion = 48.0 %) and duration (mediated proportion = 46.8 %). Mediated proportions ranged from 12.5 % to 20.6 % for wellbeing and depression. Mediating effects were not evident during weekdays.

CONCLUSIONS

Sleep duration and quality mediated the association between social media use and mental health among adolescents during weekend days but not weekdays. Our findings highlight the importance of promoting healthy social media habits, especially during periods of increased reliance on digital platforms, such as COVID-19 pandemic.