Constructs of poor sleep quality in adolescents: associated factors

Problematic Use of Smartphones and Social Media on Sleep Quality of High School Students in Mexico City

BACKGROUND

Smartphones, internet access, and social media represent a new form of problematic behavior and can affect how teens sleep.

METHODS

A cross-sectional design was employed to examine the prevalence and association of problematic internet use and problematic smartphone use with sleep quality in a non-probability sample of 190 high school students in Mexico. The internet-related experiences questionnaire (IREQ), the mobile-related experiences questionnaire (MREQ), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used.

RESULTS

The study revealed that 66% of participants exhibited some form of problematic internet use, primarily in the form of social media use; 68% had some form of problematic smartphone use, and 84% reported poor sleep quality. The PSQI score was most accurately predicted by problematic smartphone use (MREQ), followed by enrollment in the morning school shift, participation in sports, the father's education level, and knowledge that "smartphone use disturbs sleep", which together explained 23% of the variation in sleep quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Excessive smartphone use may negatively affect sleep quality in adolescents. We recommended that interventions be implemented to educate adolescents about appropriate and healthy use of technology, in parallel with the promotion of preventive sleep habits.

Association of parent-child discrepancies in educational aspirations with physical fitness, quality of life and school adaptation among adolescents: a multiple mediation model

BACKGROUND

The global public health issue of diminishing physical fitness among adolescents has gained increasing attention. The impact of parents' negative emotions or pressure regarding adolescents' educational aspirations may have a passive impact on the quality of life and adaptation of adolescents in and out of school, and ultimately harm their physical health. This study aims to explore whether parent-child discrepancies in educational aspirations influence physical fitness in adolescents through school adaptation and quality of life.

METHODS

Participants consisted of 9,768 students, males 4,753(48.7%), females 5,015(51.3%), aged 11-19 years, males 14.3 ± 1.92, females 14.4 ± 1.93. The educational aspirations were gauged using a six-point scale for expectation scores. Physical fitness assessments were based on criteria from the National Student Physical Fitness and Health Survey. School adaptation was evaluated using the School Social Behaviors Scale-2. Quality of life for adolescents was measured using Chinese version of the Quality of Life Scale for Children and Adolescents. To analyze the multiple mediating effects, structural equation models were used, and 95% confidence intervals were determined through bootstrap methods.

RESULTS

The results illustrated that school adaptation and quality of life played a significant mediating role in the effect of parent-child discrepancies in educational aspirations and physical fitness. There were three intermediary paths were confirmed: (1) discrepancies in educational aspirations → school adaptation → physical fitness (β=-0.088 SE = 0.021; p<0.01; 95% CI: -0.135, -0.05); (2) discrepancies in educational aspirations → quality of life → physical fitness (β=-0.025; SE = 0.011; p = 0.010; 95% CI: -0.050, -0.006); (3) discrepancies in educational aspirations → school adaptation→ quality of life → physical fitness (β=-0.032; SE = 0.014; p = 0.011; 95% CI: -0.061, -0.007).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that parents should reduce negative emotions and pressure regarding adolescents' academic aspirations may help their children get better physical fitness.

Examining the Effects of Strength Training with Load Progression on Sleep Parameters and Mental Health in College Students

Objective  To compare the effects of strength training with load progression after 4 weeks on sleep parameters and mental health in college students. Methods  A total of 17 university students (11 women, 6 men), ranging from 18 to 21 years old, were randomized into a strength training group (STG) and a control group (CG). The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), insomnia severity questionnaire, hospital anxiety and depression (HAD) scale, profile of mood states (POMS), and chronotype were used to evaluate the main outcomes. Training consisted of 60 minute·d -1 (2 times/week, for 4-weeks), with 3 sets of 10 to 12 repetitions, and a 1-minute rest interval between sets and exercises. Baseline and postintervention differences were analyzed using generalized estimating equations (GEE). Results  After 4 weeks of ST, a significant time effect on the chronotype (β: 1.33; p  < 0.05) was observed in the STG. Additionally, there was a significant time and group effect in the reduction of tension (β: 5.00; p  < 0.05), depression (β: 15.41; p  < 0.05), anger (β: 8.00; p  < 0.05), and confusion (β: 6.50; p  < 0.05). For fatigue (β: 2.66; p  < 0.05), there was a significant time effect difference in its reduction. Vigor was meaningfully increased in the STG group (β: -1.75; p  < 0.05). Furthermore, a significant positive relationship was observed between sleep quality and anxiety (r = 0.54; p  = 0.03). Finally, insomnia was positively related with an increase in confusion (r = 0.70; p  = 0.04) and anxiety (r = 0.52; p  = 0.04), as well as with a decrease in vigor (r = -0.71; p  = 0.03). Discussion  Short-term strength training for 4 weeks was effective for improving mental health, helping achieve characteristics of a positive mood profile, that is, low values for negative factors and a high value for the positive factor.

Prevalence and correlates of sleep disturbance among adolescents in the eastern seaboard of China

BACKGROUND

Sleep disturbances are serious public health issues that warrant increased attention, especially in adolescents. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with sleep disorders among urban adolescents in China.

METHODS

This study utilized an online survey to assess the demographic characteristics and mental health status of secondary school students in Lianyungang City. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to evaluate sleep disturbances in adolescents. The seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) assessed anxiety symptoms, and the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) was used to measure perceived social support.

RESULTS

Among 3443 adolescents, the prevalence of sleep disorders were 10.8%, with significantly higher proportions of sleep disorders (13.7% VS 8.3%, P < 0.001) among female adolescents when compared to males. Binary regression analysis revealed that anxiety symptoms (OR = 1.305, 95% CI: 1.269-1.342, P < 0.001) was risk factor for sleep disturbances, and significant other support (OR = 0.944, 95% CI: 0.896-0.994, P = 0.028) and good annual household income (OR = 0.616, 95% CI: 0.394-0.963, P = 0.034) were protective factors. Furthermore, multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that age, sex, and anxiety symptoms were associated with an elevated risk of experiencing more frequent sleep disturbances (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

We have found that 10.8% of adolescents experience sleep disorders, and it is evident that various factors can influence healthy sleeping. These results underscore the significance of addressing these factors to enhance sleep health among this population.

Screen time is negatively associated with sleep quality and duration only in insufficiently active adolescents: A Brazilian cross-sectional school-based study

Background

Time spent on screen devices affects sleep quality and duration leading to several health impairments in youth. Although physical activity (PA) benefits sleep patterns and decreases screen time in adolescents, it is unclear whether the relationship between sleep quality/duration and screen time could be influenced by PA levels.

Objective

To analyze the association between sleep quality and duration with screen time in Brazilian adolescents according PA levels.

Methods

The sample included 1010 adolescents aged 13.2 ± 2.4 years (n = 556 females - 55 % of the sample). Sleep quality and sleep duration, and PA were assessed by Mini Sleep and Baecke questionnaires, respectively. Participants in the highest quartile were classified as physically active. Screen time was analyzed by the self-reported number of hours spent on different screen devices (i.e., television, computer, videogame, and cellphone/tablet). Participants in the highest tertile were classified as having high screen time. Sex, age, and body mass index were considered covariates in binary logistic regression models.

Results

Poor sleep quality was observed in 52.3 % of the sample, whereas 46.6 % reported sleeping less than eight hours/day. High screen time was associated with poor sleep quality (OR = 1.45; 95 %CI = 1.01-2.12) and insufficient sleep duration (OR = 1.52; 95 %CI = 1.01-2.03) in adolescents insufficiently active. There were no associations between screen time and sleep parameters in active adolescents.

Conclusion

High screen time was associated with poor sleep quality and insufficient sleep duration only in insufficiently active adolescents. These results suggest that high PA levels may contribute to improving sleep patterns in pediatric population.

Association between Sleep Quality and Cardiac Autonomic Modulation in Adolescents: A Cross Sectional Study

Objective  To analyze the impact of sleep quality/duration on cardiac autonomic modulation on physically active adolescents with obesity. Materials and Methods  The present cross-sectional study included 1,150 boys with a mean age of 16.6 ± 1.2 years. The assessment of cardiac functions included the frequency domain of heart rate variability (HRV; low frequency - LF; high frequency - HF; and the ratio between these bands -LF/HF -, defined as the sympathovagal balance), and each parameter was categorized as low / high . Physical activity levels and sleep quality/duration were obtained by questionnaires. Abdominal obesity was assessed and defined as waist circumference > 80 th percentile. Results  Poor sleep quality resulted in lower HF (odds ratio [OR]: 1.8; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.01-3.21]) regardless of physical activity and abdominal obesity. Moreover, the study found no association between sleep duration and HRV parameters in adolescents. Conclusion  Sleep quality, not sleep duration, reduces parasympathetic cardiac modulation apart from other factors such as physical activity and abdominal obesity in adolescents.

Low mindfulness is related to poor sleep quality from middle adolescents to emerging adults: a process model involving resilience and emotional dysfunction

OBJECTIVES

Transitions from middle adolescence into merging adulthood, a life stage between age 15-25, has a high prevalence of sleep problems. Mindfulness is a trait defined as being attentive to the present moment which positively relates to sleep quality. In this study, we aimed to investigate how resilience and emotional dysfunction may influence the relationship between trait mindfulness and sleep quality.

METHODS

The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales were used to measure the key variables through an online survey of 497 participants between middle adolescence and emerging adults (317 females, mean age 18.27 ± 0.76 years). A process model was built to investigate the mediating roles of resilience and emotional dysfunction in the impact of trait mindfulness on sleep quality, together with the relationships between their specific components.

RESULTS

We found a positive association between mindfulness and sleep quality through resilience and through emotional dysfunction, and through the sequential pathway from resilience to emotional dysfunction. Of note, acting with awareness (mindfulness facet) showed significant indirect effects on sleep quality, mediated by resilience and emotional dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings may unveil the underlying mechanisms of how low mindfulness induces poor sleep quality. The findings indicate that conceiving mindfulness as a multifaceted construct facilitates comprehension of its components, relationships with other variables, and underscores its potential clinical significance given its critical implications for mental health.