Family implication in adolescents' sleep: A qualitative exploration with quantitative insights

The multiple changes in sleep patterns during adolescence are influenced by both biological and environmental factors, resulting in later bedtimes and insufficient sleep. Since most adolescents live with their families, the family environment plays a crucial role in shaping adolescent sleep behaviors. Existing research on this topic remains limited.

This study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods to explore family involvement in adolescent sleep. A total of 114 participants (31 families, including both parents, siblings, and the target adolescents) participated in semistructured interviews and wore actigraphs to measure sleep over 7 days.

Actigraphy results revealed that most adolescents slept less than the recommended amount, with similar sleep patterns observed between adolescents, their siblings, and mothers. Thematic content analysis identified how sleep behaviors and attitudes were transmitted within families. Similar habits in the evening were observed between family members, such as meals, screen time, reading, and homework.

The study highlighted how family members model behaviors related to sleep, with parents and siblings influencing adolescents' sleep patterns. Parental roles, such as setting sleep-related rules, limiting screen time, and maintaining consistent bedtime routines, serve as key behavioral models that adolescents often adopt, leading to better sleep quality and quantity.

This study underscores the significant role of family in shaping adolescent sleep patterns through both explicit behaviors and implicit modeling.