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Sleep and risk-taking behavior in adolescents
Erin M O'Brien1, Jodi A Mindell
1Department of Clinical & Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610-0165, USA. eobrien@phhp.ufl.edu
Behavioral Sleep Medicine
|June 30, 2005
Summary
Adolescents with longer weekend sleep delays and more sleep problems engage in higher risk-taking behaviors. Sleep patterns significantly influence adolescent risk-taking and academic performance.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent psychology
- Sleep science
- Behavioral science
Background:
- Adolescent sleep-wake patterns undergo significant changes.
- Previous research indicates a link between sleep habits and adolescent behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between adolescent sleep-wake patterns and risk-taking behavior.
- To replicate findings on adolescent sleep habits from Wolfson and Carskadon (1998).
Main Methods:
- 388 adolescents completed the Sleep Habits Survey and Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
- Analysis of sleep patterns, including weekend delay and sleep problems.
- Examination of relationships with risk-taking behaviors and academic performance.
Main Results:
- Longer weekend sleep delay and higher sleep problems correlated with increased risk-taking behavior.
- Weekend delay was associated with academic performance.
- Sleep-wake pattern changes across age were observed, consistent with prior research.
- School-night sleep duration and weekend delay, but not weekend oversleep, related to daytime functioning.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent sleep-wake patterns are demonstrably linked to risk-taking behaviors.
- Findings partially support previous research on adolescent sleep and daytime functioning.
- Sleep habits are a critical factor in adolescent well-being and behavior.