[Sleep disorders and sleep hygiene in adolescents with mental health disorders: a pilot study]

Sleep is essential for adolescents’ physical and psychological development. Sleep problems are common among adolescents with psychiatric disorders, but research on the prevalence of specific sleep disorders herein is lacking.

To examine the prevalence of sleep disorders in adolescents with psychiatric disorders and to explore its relationship with sleep-hygiene-behaviors.

In a cross-sectional pilot-study, 50 adolescents (16-24 years) receiving care at a specialized mental health institution completed the Holland Sleep Disorders Questionnaire and the Adolescent Sleep Hygiene Scale. The prevalence of sleep disorders and differences in sleep-hygiene-behaviors between adolescents with and without sleep disorder(s) were analyzed using cross-tabulations, χ²-, and t-tests.

68% of adolescents scored above cut-off for at least one sleep disorder, and 54% for two or more. Insomnia disorder (60%) and circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders (44%) were most prevalent. Comorbidity of multiple sleep disorders was high. Adolescents with sleep disorders reported significantly poorer sleep-hygiene, particularly pertaining substance use and pre-sleep emotional arousal.

Sleep disorders are highly prevalent among adolescents with psychiatric disorders and are associated with poorer sleep-hygiene. Early detection and sleep disorder treatment, along with improving sleep-hygiene-behaviors, might be essential for healthy sleep quality and better/faster psychiatric recovery in adolescents.