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Sleep patterns and insomnia among internationally adopted adolescents
Kristin Gärtner Askeland1, Børge Sivertsen2, Mari Hysing3
1Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway.
Sleep Health
|May 4, 2020
Summary
Internationally adopted adolescents experience shorter sleep duration and higher insomnia rates than their peers. Sleep problems may be linked to adoption timing and mental health, suggesting intervention needs.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Sleep Medicine
- Adoption Studies
Background:
- Sleep is crucial for adolescent development.
- International adoptees may face unique challenges impacting sleep.
- Understanding sleep patterns in this population is vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare sleep patterns and insomnia prevalence in internationally adopted adolescents versus nonadopted peers.
- To explore factors influencing sleep problems in adopted youth.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study using data from the youth@hordaland-survey.
- Included 9846 adolescents, with 44 identified as international adoptees.
- Self-report measures assessed sleep, demographics, and mental health.
Main Results:
- Adopted adolescents had significantly shorter sleep duration on weekdays and weekends.
- Higher insomnia rates (32%) were observed in adoptees, but not significant after adjusting for depression.
- Later adoption age (>12 months) correlated with more sleep problems.
Conclusions:
- Internationally adopted adolescents exhibit concerning sleep duration and insomnia rates.
- Sleep issues represent a potential target for intervention.
- Assessing mental and sleep health is recommended for adopted adolescents facing difficulties.
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