Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2025
04:33
Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
Published on: April 26, 2024
607
The Relationship Between Intraindividual Sleep-Wake Variability and Mental Health in Adolescents
Misol Kwon1,2,3, Young S Seo4, Brant P Hasler5
1Division of Sleep Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Behavioral Sleep Medicine
|November 11, 2024
Summary
Irregular sleep-wake patterns in adolescents are linked to poorer sleep quality, increased depressive symptoms, and higher rates of problematic alcohol use. These findings highlight the clinical importance of consistent sleep schedules for adolescent mental health.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Science
- Adolescent Health
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Adolescence is a critical period for development, with sleep patterns undergoing significant changes.
- Irregular sleep-wake schedules are increasingly recognized as a potential risk factor for various health issues.
- Understanding the specific associations between sleep irregularity and mental health outcomes in adolescents is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between irregular sleep-wake patterns and aspects of sleep and mental health in adolescents.
- To differentiate the impact of day-to-day variability (intraindividual variability) versus weekly shifts (social jet lag) in sleep timing.
Main Methods:
- A community-based sample of 200 adolescents (mean age 16.8, 61.7% female) completed baseline assessments.
- Participants wore wrist actigraphy for 7-8 consecutive days to objectively measure sleep patterns.
- Irregularity was assessed using intraindividual variability (IIV) in total sleep time, sleep onset, and offset, and social jet lag (SJL) between school and non-school days.
Main Results:
- Greater IIV in total sleep time was associated with poorer sleep quality and increased depressive symptoms.
- Greater IIV in sleep offset time was linked to more depressive symptoms and problematic alcohol use.
- Greater SJL was associated with poorer sleep quality and fewer problematic alcohol uses.
Conclusions:
- Findings underscore the negative impact of sleep-wake pattern irregularity on adolescent sleep quality and mental health.
- Both day-to-day variability and weekly shifts in sleep timing are associated with adverse outcomes.
- These results contribute to the growing evidence base on the clinical implications of irregular sleep in adolescents.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:13Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation
134
Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
134
01:24Sleep-Wake Cycles
1.2K
Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
1.2K
02:20Correlations
32.7K
Correlation means that there is a relationship between two or more variables (such as ice cream consumption and crime), but this relationship does not necessarily imply cause and effect. When two variables are correlated, it simply means that as one variable changes, so does the other. We can measure correlation by calculating a statistic known as a correlation coefficient. A correlation coefficient is a number from -1 to +1 that indicates the strength and direction of the relationship between...
32.7K
01:27Insomnia
79
Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, and waking up too early without being able to return to sleep. People with insomnia often experience these disruptions at least three nights a week for at least one month. Chronic insomnia, which lasts for at least three months, can lead to increased anxiety, which in turn can worsen sleep difficulties, creating a cycle of sleeplessness and stress.
Multiple factors contribute...
Multiple factors contribute...
79
01:23Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
43
Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
43
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
44
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the...
44