Self-Regulation and Sleep Duration, Sleepiness, and Chronotype in Adolescents

Sleep problems and duration in school-aged children at different levels of giftedness

OBJECTIVES

Optimal sleep is crucial for developing and maintaining gifted children's cognitive abilities. However, only a few studies have explored the sleep profiles of gifted children and overlooked their internal variations. This study aimed to investigate subjective and object sleep profiles in school-aged gifted children with different levels of giftedness.

METHODS

This study included 80 school-aged children (50 % male) aged 6-11 years. Giftedness was assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV). Subjective and objective sleep were evaluated using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and Actiwatch 2.

RESULTS

The sample was divided into three groups based on their full scale intelligence quotient (IQ): 16 typically developing children (IQ < 130), 38 moderately gifted children (IQ: 130-145), and 26 highly gifted children (IQ > 145). The highly gifted children had the mildest sleep problems, particularly in sleep duration and daytime sleepiness. Moderately gifted children had the shortest subjective average sleep duration, while the three groups had no significant differences in Actiwatch-measured sleep variables. Furthermore, CSHQ total and daytime sleepiness subscale scores were negatively associated with the full scale IQ in gifted children after controlling for confounders including emotional and behavioral problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with higher levels of giftedness experience fewer subjective sleep problems but have similar objective sleep parameters. It is imperative to implement tailored sleep strategies for fostering intellectual development and nurturing young talents.

Exploring the nexus between sleep, chronotype, and non-cognitive predictors in university students: Implications for academic success

While the association between sleep-related variables and academic achievement is widely acknowledged, limited attention has been directed towards exploring non-cognitive predictors of academic achievement such as conscientiousness and self-regulation. In this study, we investigated the relationships between various sleep-related factors (circadian preference, chronotype, sleep duration, quality, and irregularity) and non-cognitive predictors (conscientiousness, self-regulation, self-efficacy, and achievement motivation) in 637 university students. Bivariate analyses revealed moderate to strong correlations among several sleep-related measures. Notably, distinctness, representing the subjective perception of daily changes, and daytime sleepiness exhibited negative associations with self-regulation, while high sleep quality was positively linked to robust self-regulation. These findings emphasize the importance of exploring various measures, particularly distinctness within circadian typology. Furthermore, we discuss the potential integration of sleep intervention programs with strategies aimed at enhancing self-regulation.

Behavioral Intervention that Extends Sleep Duration Leads to Greater Self-Control in School-Aged Children

OBJECTIVE

Short sleep and evening phase preference associate with impaired self-control, yet few studies have assessed the efficacy of sleep extension for improving this behavioral domain. Thus, this secondary analysis of a behavioral sleep intervention measured whether an intervention that enhanced children's sleep also affected self-control. Differences by chronotype were also explored.

METHODS

Sixty-seven children (8-11 yr), who reportedly slept <9.5 hr/d, were randomized to either a control or sleep intervention condition (i.e., 4-session behavioral intervention to enhance sleep by 1-1.5 hr/night). Chronotype was assessed using the Child Chronotype Questionnaire at baseline, and self-control was assessed using the Self-Control Rating Scale (SCRS, a caregiver report) at baseline and 8 weeks postrandomization. Total sleep time (TST) was measured using wrist actigraphy for 1 week at both baseline and 8 weeks postrandomization. Partial correlations and mixed-model ANOVAs were used for statistical analyses, with age as a covariate.

RESULTS

At baseline, children with shorter TST (r = -0.29, p = 0.02) and an evening preference (r = 0.26, p = 0.049) were perceived as having lower self-control by their caregivers. Significant condition*time interaction effects were found for TST (p < 0.001) and SCRS score (p = 0.046): From baseline to follow-up, children randomized to the sleep intervention exhibited a significant increase in TST and were perceived as having greater self-control by their caregiver; children randomized to the control condition exhibited no change in TST or in SCRS score. The condition*chronotype*time interaction effect was not significant.

CONCLUSION

A brief sleep intervention that enhanced TST also resulted in enhanced caregiver reported self-control in school-age children. Results add to the growing evidence for the importance of sleep health in children.

Later ("evening") circadian preference is associated with poorer executive, academic, and attentional functioning in adolescents with and without ADHD

BACKGROUND

Adolescents vary considerably in their circadian phase preference; those with greater "eveningness" (also known as "night owls") have later bedtimes, wake times, and peak arousal compared to those with greater "morningness." Prior research suggests that (a) greater eveningness is associated with worse academic, executive, and attentional functioning; and (b) adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) tend to be high in eveningness and to have deficits in these school-related constructs. However, few studies have examined circadian preference alongside two potential confounds-sleep duration and sleep quality-as predictors of daytime functioning, or whether the strength of associations differs across adolescents with and without ADHD.

METHODS

Participants were 302 adolescents (Mage = 13.17 years; 44.7% female; 81.8% White); approximately half (52%) had ADHD. A multi-method, multi-informant design was used. Specifically, adolescents reported on their circadian preference, school night sleep duration, and sleep quality. Adolescents provided ratings of their academic motivation (intrinsic, extrinsic, and amotivation) and were administered standardized achievement tests in reading and math. Adolescents and parents completed ratings of daily life executive functioning (behavioral, emotion, and cognitive regulation), and they and teachers also provided ratings of ADHD inattentive symptoms.

RESULTS

Above and beyond sleep duration, sleep quality, and covariates (sex, family income, pubertal development, medication use), greater eveningness was uniquely associated with poorer academic, executive, and attentional functioning across most measures. Sleep quality was uniquely associated with a handful of outcomes, and sleep duration was not significantly uniquely associated with any outcome in the regression analyses. ADHD status did not moderate effects.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides compelling evidence that poorer academic, executive, and attentional functioning are more closely associated with greater eveningness than with sleep duration or quality in adolescents. Findings suggest that targeting circadian preference may be important to reduce these problems in adolescents, especially in clinical samples such as ADHD for whom academic, executive, and attentional difficulties are exceptionally common.

Associations between multiple sleep dimensions and suicide and non-suicidal self-injury: a cross-sectional study of 3828 Chinese young people

PURPOSE

Suicide and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) are preventable concerns in young people. Suicidal ideation (SI), suicidal plans (SP) and suicidal attempt (SA) are closely related to death. Sleep problems are known risk factors for suicide and NSSI. This study aimed to explore the relationship between sleep, suicidality and NSSI.

METHODS

Participants were 3,828 middle school and college students aged 11-23 years from urban and rural areas of Henan Province. Sleep, suicidal phenomena and NSSI were assessed by applying self-reported questionnaires. Chi-squared tests were utilized to demonstrate the demographic data and sleep variables. The correlation between sleep, suicidality and NSSI were explored by using binary logistic regression, while adjusting socio-demographic characteristics with multivariate models.

RESULTS

Sleep variables except mid-sleep time were related to suicidal phenomena (P < 0.05). Greater social jet lag (SJL) [≥ 2 h (h)] was associated with increased risk of SI [Odds ratios (OR) = 1.72, 95% confidence intervals (CI):1.40-2.11], SP (OR = 2.10, 95%CI:1.59-2.79) and SA (OR = 1.50, 95%CI:1.00-2.26). Non-only child participants with SJL (≥ 2 h) had significantly increased odds of SI (OR = 1.75, 95%CI: 1.41-2.18) and SP (OR = 2.25, 95%CI: 1.66-3.05). Eveningness chronotype had the strongest correlation with SI (OR = 3.87, 95%CI:2.78-5.38), SP (OR = 4.72, 95%CI:2.97-7.50), SA (OR = 6.69, 95%CI:3.08-14.52) and NSSI (OR = 1.39, 95%CI:1.02-1.90).

CONCLUSION

Overlong or short sleep duration, SJL, eveningness chronotype and other sleep abnormalities (e.g., daytime dysfunction, low sleep efficiency) were associated with a higher prevalence of SI, SP and SA. Additionally, eveningness was significantly correlated with NSSI among young people. These findings suggested the importance of assessing and intervening in sleep habits to prevent suicide and NSSI in young people.

Development and psychometric properties of an instrument to measure sleep behavior self-regulation in adolescent students

Background

The prevalence of inadequate sleep among adolescents is a significant worry due to its potential to adversely affect their health and academic performance. Addressing this matter necessitates a comprehensive grasp of the underlying factors influencing sleep regulation and the formulation of evidence-based interventions to counteract its detrimental consequences. Hence, the central objective of this study is to create and assess a dependable questionnaire designed to evaluate adolescents' self-regulation of sleep behavior.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, data from 401 high school students randomly selected from west Iran were incorporated and subjected to psychometric assessments. The average age of the participants was 16.5 ± 0.92. Initially, 136 preliminary items were formulated, drawing from a contextual framework and comprehensive literature review. The subsequent steps involved specialized analyses, including content validity analysis, item analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, as well as convergent validity analysis.

Results

Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses support a strong structural model, including factors like self-control, outcome expectation, goal setting, and self-efficacy, which are linked to regulating sleep behavior. The model fit was satisfactory. The instrument had 22 items which demonstrated good internal consistency, adequate test-retest reliability, and evidence of convergent validity.

Conclusion

In future studies exploring sleep behavior, the present questionnaire, which has demonstrated initial validity and reliability, holds the potential to provide valuable assistance in evaluating and enhancing self-regulation in sleep behavior, particularly within school environments.

Bidirectional associations between sleep problems and suicidal thought/attempt in adolescents: A 3-wave data path analysis

PURPOSE

This longitudinal data analysis examined the bidirectional relationships between sleep problems and suicidal thought (ST)/attempt (SA) in a large sample of Chinese adolescents.

METHODS

A total of 6995 adolescents (mean age = 14.86 years and 51.4% males) participated in a 3-wave longitudinal study of behavior and health in Shandong, China. A self-administered questionnaire and standardized scales were used to assess ST, SA, sleep duration, insomnia, daytime sleepiness, and behavioral/emotional problems in 2015 (T1), 1 year later (T2), and 2 years later (T3). Path analyses were performed without and with adjustment for covariates, including gender, grade level, chronic diseases, cigarette smoking, alcohol use, anxiety/depressive symptoms, paternal education, and family economic status.

RESULTS

The prevalence rates of short sleep (<7 h/night), insomnia symptoms, and daytime sleepiness were 46.9-58.8%, 16.0-19.4%, and 25.1-25.3% at T1, T2, and T3, respectively. The rates of past-year ST and SA were 9.1-12.4% and 1.6-2.4% at T1, T2, and T3, respectively. Path analyses showed that short sleep, insomnia, and daytime sleepiness predicted subsequent ST, and vice versa. Daytime sleepiness and SA predicted each other 1 year later. Sleep problems and ST/SA in the previous year significantly predicted themselves in the follow-up year.

STUDY LIMITATION

All data were based on self-report.

CONCLUSION

Short sleep, insomnia, and daytime sleepiness all had bidirectional relationships with ST. Daytime sleepiness and SA were bidirectionally linked. Our findings suggest that interventions should be taken for both night sleep disturbances and daytime sleepiness to prevent suicide. Adverse sleep outcomes in suicidal adolescents should be assessed, which can in turn increase suicide risk.

Improving adolescent sleep in long-term Juvenile correctional settings: case examples with clinical, research, and policy implications

Poor sleep during adolescence is a public health concern that may be especially important to address among youth in juvenile correctional facilities, who tend to experience greater mental health challenges, substance use disorders, and traumatic stress exposure. However, evidence for addressing sleep in correctional settings is limited. Using de-identified composite clinical cases, this paper describes challenges and opportunities for addressing sleep disorders (i.e. insomnia) and promoting sleep health (i.e. improving duration, regularity, and behaviors) among adolescents in long-term juvenile correctional facilities. These clinical cases highlight common presenting problems and underscore the need for integrated sleep and mental health interventions as well as adaptations to enhance feasibility and efficacy of behavioral sleep treatment and sleep health promotion in juvenile correctional contexts. We conclude by summarizing clinical, research, and policy implications for addressing adolescent sleep problems and promoting sleep health and well-being in these contexts.

Latent Profiles of Sleep Patterns in Early Adolescence: Associations With Behavioral Health Risk

PURPOSE

The present study characterized sleep profiles in a national longitudinal sample of early adolescents and examined whether profiles predicted later behavioral problems.

METHODS

Three waves of data (2016-2021) were obtained from the Adolescent Behavior and Cognitive Development study, including 3,326 participants with both weekday and weekend sleep data measured by Fitbit wearables (age range 10.58-13.67 years; 49.3% female). Latent profile analysis was utilized to identify sleep profiles using multiple sleep indicators (duration, latency, efficiency, wake minutes, wake counts, and midpoint). We then explored whether demographic predictors predicted profile membership and tested the latent sleep profiles' predictive utility of internalizing and externalizing symptoms.

RESULTS

Four profiles were identified: average sleep (40.39%), high duration & high wakefulness (28.58%), high efficiency, low duration &low wakefulness (16.86%), and low duration & low efficiency (14.17%). Participants with older age, males, higher body mass index, and advanced pubertal status were more likely to be classified in the low duration & low efficiency profile than the average group. Participants with lower income, minority identification, older age, and higher body mass index were more likely to be classified in the high efficiency, low duration &low wakefulness than the average group. Participants with lower parental education and males were more likely to be in the high sleep duration & high wakefulness than the average group. The low duration & low efficiency group had the highest attention problems, social problems, and rule-breaking behaviors.

DISCUSSION

Our findings highlight unique sleep patterns in early adolescence and their prospective links with internalizing and externalizing problems.

Analysis, evaluation, and reformulation of social cognitive theory: Toward parent-child shared management in sleep health

THEORETICAL PRINCIPLES

Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) is a middle-range theory with triadic determinism between behavioral, environmental, and personal. SCT has been a guiding framework in health promotion research as it helps understand people's behaviors.

PHENOMENA ADDRESSED

Behavioral Insomnia of Childhood (BIC) is highly prevalent, affecting up to 45% of typically developing children and 80% of children with special healthcare needs. BIC leads to sleep deficiency, disrupted physical and psychological health, poor school performance, behavioral dysfunction, and negatively affects parental and family functioning. Using Fawcett's framework, we analyzed and evaluated SCT in a pediatric sleep context and propose a reformulation of SCT to better inform sleep research.

RESEARCH LINKAGES

SCT is individually focused and does not account for interdependence within relationships. Pediatric sleep interventions have limited long-term effects and sustainability without considering the parent-child dyadic interdependency. We advance the argument that the parent-child shared management (PCSM) perspective is beneficial for understanding pediatric sleep health. PCSM is a concept that reflects the shared responsibility and interdependence that parent and child have for managing child health. It assumes that with parents' ongoing support, children's responsibility for their health management increases over time, along with developmental progression and health-related experiences. We propose reformulating SCT by integrating PCSM in the pediatric sleep context: SCT with Shared Management (SCT-SM). The proposed SCT-SM accounts for parent-child interdependence and role transition. Shared management interventions that engage parents and children in active roles in managing sleep have potential sustainable effects in improving sleep and quality of life. (250).

Impact of chronotype, insomnia symptoms, sleep duration, and electronic devices on nonrestorative sleep and daytime sleepiness among Japanese adolescents

OBJECTIVES

Nonrestorative sleep (NRS) and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) are important indicators of daytime dysfunction. Electronic media use before bedtime greatly affects adolescent sleep quality. However, few studies have examined factors associated with these symptoms. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the impact of chronotype, electronic device use before bedtime, and insomnia symptoms on NRS and EDS in Japanese adolescents.

METHODS

A web-based cross-sectional survey of 2067 adolescents was conducted in 2022 to mainly assess sleep-related issues (sleep duration, chronotype, insomnia symptoms, NRS, and EDS), time spent using electronic devices, physical activity, and mental health.

RESULTS

We analyzed data of 1880 adolescents (age, 16.4 ± 0.8 years; males, 56.7%). NRS and EDS prevalence rates were 54.9% and 39.4%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, evening chronotype [odds ratio (OR): 2.14, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.58-2.89], difficulty initiating sleep (OR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.43-2.64), <5 h sleep (OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.24-2.54), 5-6 h sleep (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.20-1.93), and using electronic devices just before bedtime (OR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.08-2.04) were associated with NRS. Evening chronotype (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.07-1.82), early morning awakening (OR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.02-2.50), using electronic devices just before bedtime (OR: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.48-2.93), and using electronic devices 30 min before bedtime (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.07-2.29) were associated with EDS.

CONCLUSION

Chronotype may be an important factor influencing NRS and EDS. Discontinuing electronic device use at least 30 min before bedtime could benefit affected adolescents.

Circadian preference and physical and cognitive performance in adolescence: A scoping review

Adolescence is a crucial period of development which coincides with changes in circadian rhythmicity. This may augment the impact of circadian preference on performance in this group. We aimed to scope the literature available on chronotypes and their effect on physical and mental aspects of performance in adolescents. Studies were identified by systematically searching bibliographical databases and grey literature. The Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire was the most frequently reported tool for circadian preference assessment. Academic achievement was the most prevailing outcome, with evidence suggesting that morning type adolescents tend to outperform evening types, yet the results vary depending on multiple factors. Performance in tests of intelligence and executive functions was generally better at optimal times of the day (synchrony effect). Physical performance was examined in 8 studies, with very heterogeneous outcomes. Although the associations between circadian preference and performance in adolescents are evident in some areas, there are many factors that may be involved in the relationship and require further investigation. This review highlights the assessment of physical performance in relation to chronotypes, the multidimensional assessment of circadian preference, and the need for longitudinal studies as priorities for further research.Protocol: OSF Registration - Public registration, DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/UCA3Z.

Sleep Disorders in Childhood

OBJECTIVE

This article provides a comprehensive review of pediatric sleep disorders including the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of sleep-disordered breathing, insomnia, parasomnias, restless sleep disorder, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy in childhood, and Kleine-Levin syndrome.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Our understanding of pediatric sleep pathophysiology continues to evolve, and diagnostic and treatment modalities have expanded. A low-sodium oxybate formulation was approved in July 2020 in the United States to treat cataplexy and excessive daytime sleepiness in patients 7 years old and older with narcolepsy. A validated pediatric hypersomnolence survey for pediatric narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia with high sensitivity, specificity, and interrater reliability is now available.

ESSENTIAL POINTS

The clinical presentation, diagnostics, and treatment of children with sleep disorders differ from those of adults. Untreated sleep disorders in childhood can lead to adverse physical and psychological consequences in adults. Correctly diagnosing and treating sleep disorders in youth can prevent a significant burden of disease in adulthood.

Morning Chronotype Is Associated with Improved Adherence to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure among Individuals with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Rationale: Poor adherence limits the effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A better understanding of CPAP adherence is needed to develop novel strategies to improve it. Objectives: To determine if the chronotype (morning, evening, or intermediate) of patients with OSA is associated with differences in CPAP adherence. If such an association exists, determine the mechanisms underlying this association. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of the APPLES (Apnea Positive Pressure Long-term Efficacy Study) clinical trial. We assessed chronotype using the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) among participants randomized to the CPAP arm with daily adherence data (n = 469). Evening (MEQ ⩽ 41), intermediate (41 < MEQ < 59), and morning type (MEQ ⩾ 59) categories were the exposures. We modeled daily CPAP use (hours per night) over a 6-month period, using a linear mixed model, adjusted for covariates (e.g., age, sex, marital status). To assess mechanisms of the association, we performed mediation analyses using sleep duration, weekend catch-up sleep, depression, and other factors. Results: Most participants were obese men with severe OSA (body mass index of 32.3 ± 7.3 kg/m2, 65% male, and apnea-hypopnea index 39.8 ± 24.6/h). Participants were 44% morning, 47% intermediate, and 8% evening chronotype. Participants with the morning chronotype reported the shortest sleep duration on weekends (7.3 vs. 7.6 and 7.9 h/night) compared with the intermediate and evening types. Participants with the morning chronotype exhibited a 40-min/night higher CPAP use (P = 0.001) than persons with the intermediate chronotype. This relationship was mildly attenuated (32.8 min/night; P = 0.011) after adjustment for covariates. None of the selected factors (e.g., sleep duration, weekend catch-up sleep) exhibited a significant mediation effect. Conclusions: Morning chronotype is associated with a clinically meaningful increase in CPAP adherence compared with other chronotypes. Mechanisms of this association require further study. Chronotype may be a novel predictor of CPAP adherence. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00051363).

Diurnal symptoms of sleepiness and dysfunction predict future suicidal ideation in a French cohort of outpatients (FACE-DR) with treatment resistant depression: A 1-year prospective study about sleep markers

BACKGROUND

Patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression (TRD) are at risk of suicide. Sleep and circadian rhythm alterations are widely recognized as core symptoms of major depressive disorder and are associated with suicidal ideation. Thus, sleep and circadian rhythm alterations may be targeted to prevent suicide.

METHODS

Patients were recruited from a prospective cohort of the French network of TRD expert centers. Mood, sleep and circadian rhythms were assessed at baseline; suicidal risk was assessed both at baseline and during a one-year follow-up with standardized subjective questionnaires.

RESULTS

Excessive daytime sleepiness (adjusted odds ratio aOR = 1.7(1-3.3), p = 0.04) and daytime dysfunction (aOR = 1.81(1.16-2.81), p = 0.0085) increased the risk of suicidal thoughts over the one-year follow-up period in patients with TRD after adjustment on age, gender, depression, trauma, anxiety, impulsivity, current daily tobacco smoking and body mass index. Hypnotics intake is associated with a reduced risk of suicidal ideation at one-year follow-up after the same adjustments (OR = 0.73(0.56-0.95), p = 0.019). Other associations between sleep quality or circadian rhythms and suicidal ideations at either baseline or one year did not remain significant in multivariate analyses after the same adjustments.

LIMITATIONS

Sleep assessments were based on self-reported questionnaires rather than objective measures.

CONCLUSIONS

Daytime sleepiness and dysfunction are predictors of suicidal ideations, whereas hypnotics intake is associated with a reduced risk of suicidal ideations. Diurnal symptoms of sleep disturbances are therefore red flags to target for preventing suicide in depressed patients, and hypnotics seem efficient in preventing suicide for patients with TRD.

[Sleepiness among adolescents: etiology and multiple consequences]

Over the past century a dramatic decline in sleep duration among adolescents, such as more than one hour of sleep loss per night, has been reported. A debt in sleep duration could lead to sleep deprivation, a major risk factor associated with daytime sleepiness. Sleepiness refers to the inability to maintain an adequate level of alertness during the day which may result in more or less being able to control falling asleep at inappropriate times. This literature review updates on sleepiness regarding its characteristics, etiology and consequences on adolescents. Studies revealed that from 25 % to 78 % of adolescents had reported sleepiness. Its manifestations may include heavy lids, yawns, difficulties to concentrate and emotional irritability. In addition, while it is recommended that adolescents under 18 years-old should sleep from eight to ten hours a night, only 63 % of them actually do so. The etiology of sleep deprivation and sleepiness in this population can be explained by various biological and societal factors. First, the sleep-wake cycle of adolescents shows a biological shift from the beginning of pubertal maturation, described as a perfect storm. It refers to a social jetlag by going to sleep and waking up later and accumulating a sleep debt during weekdays which they try to reimburse during weekends. This phenomenon can be explained by physiological changes such as a slower accumulation of sleep pressure. In addition to this perfect storm, environmental and societal factors contribute to the social jetlag and reduce sleep duration in adolescents. Screen exposure before bedtime can delay sleep and wake onset, which is a risk factor for sleeping debt. Substance use such as caffeine, cigarettes or electronic vaporizer, ADHD or freely available medication, alcohol, cannabis use or drug consumption could further disrupt sleep-wake cycle by stimulating, depressing or otherwise disrupting the central nervous system. Early, before 8:30 am, class start times have been associated with chronic sleep deprivation, higher level of sleepiness and delayed melatonin peak secretion. Adolescents working or doing extracurricular occupations for more than 20hours a week are more at risk for reduced sleep duration and sleepiness. Parental supervision about sleep during the weekdays were associated with more appropriate bedtime. Adolescents from low socio-demographic characteristics and from minority ethnic groups have reported displaying a shorter sleep duration. Finally, sleep disorders of a physiological origin such as narcolepsy, sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome, may explain the sleep deprivation and sleepiness. Sleep deprivation and sleepiness in adolescents have consequences on their health. Cognitive functioning, such as problem solving, attention or memory, as well as school performance, can be compromised by sleep deprivation and sleepiness. At the psychological level, adolescents reporting sleepiness are more prone to display mental health problems: associations were found between sleepiness and subjective perception of depression, anxiety, somatic complaints as well as with antisocial behaviors. Finally, 68 % of 16 year-old adolescents reported they drove a car, and the reported sleepiness could lead to road accidents due to reduced attentional functioning, reaction time and decision-making abilities. In the United-States, from 7 % to 16.5 % of deadly accidents were related to driving while drowsy. Highlighting etiology and problems associated with sleep deprivation and sleepiness in adolescents could guide researchers and clinicians towards the development of possible interventions. Public health measures and knowledge transfer programs regarding modifiable psychosocial and societal factors associated with sleep-wake bioregulation could increase awareness in parents as well as in political and societal decision makers.

Prospective association between evening circadian preference and academic functioning in adolescents: the role of daytime sleepiness

BACKGROUND

There is growing evidence for the role of circadian factors in adolescents' sleep and academic adjustment, with greater evening preference being linked to poorer academic functioning. However, studies have yet to evaluate this association prospectively in adolescence, nor have studies examined daytime sleepiness as a putative mechanism linking evening preference to poor academic functioning. The current study used a multi-informant design to test the prospective association of evening circadian preference, daytime sleepiness, and academic functioning (e.g., global academic impairment and grades) across 2 years in adolescence. As evening circadian preference, sleepiness, and academic problems are elevated in adolescents with ADHD, we used a sample enriched for adolescents with ADHD and explored whether ADHD moderated effects.

METHOD

Participants were 302 adolescents (M_age  = 13.17 years; 44.7% female; 81.8% White; 52% with ADHD). In the fall of eighth grade, adolescents reported on their circadian preference, and in the fall of ninth grade, adolescents and parents completed ratings of daytime sleepiness. In the middle of 10th grade, parents and teachers reported on adolescents' academic impairment and at the end of 10th grade, adolescents' grade point average (GPA) was obtained from school records.

RESULTS

Above and beyond covariates (e.g., adolescent sex, ADHD status, medication, sleep duration) and baseline academic impairment, greater self-reported evening preference in 8th grade predicted increased parent ratings of academic impairment in 10th grade indirectly via adolescent and parent ratings of daytime sleepiness in 9th grade. Furthermore, evening preference in 8th grade predicted greater teacher ratings of academic impairment and lower average GPA in 10th grade via parent ratings of daytime sleepiness in 9th grade, controlling for covariates and baseline GPA. ADHD status did not moderate indirect effects.

CONCLUSION

Findings underscore daytime sleepiness as a possible intervening mechanism linking evening preference to poor academic functioning across adolescence. Intervention studies are needed to evaluate whether targeting circadian preference and sleepiness improves academic functioning in adolescents.

The impact of sleep-corrected social jetlag on mental health, behavioral problems, and daytime sleepiness in adolescents

STUDY OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to examine the effect of sleep-corrected social jetlag (SJLsc) on mental health, behavioral problems, and daytime sleepiness in adolescents.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study which included 4787 adolescents (Mean age: 14.83±1.6y, 56.0% girls) recruited from 15 secondary schools in Hong Kong. SJLsc was defined as the absolute difference between sleep-corrected midsleep on weekdays and weekends, at which the sleep debt has been considered. It was classified into three groups: low-level ("LSJLsc", <1h), mid-level ("MSJLsc", ≥1h and <2h), and high-level of SJLsc ("HSJLsc", ≥2h). Adolescents' mental health, behavioral problems and daytime sleepiness were measured by the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS). Logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic spline regression (RCS) analysis were applied with consideration of confounders including age, gender, puberty and sleep problems.

RESULTS

Nearly half (46.9%) of adolescents had SJLsc for at least 1 h. Greater SJLsc was associated with more behavioral difficulties (MSJLsc: OR: 1.20, p = 0.03; HSJLsc: OR: 1.34, p = 0.02) when controlling for age, sex, puberty, chronotype, insomnia, and time in bed. There was a dose-response relationship in which higher SJLsc had an increased risk of conduct problems and hyperactivity, while only high-level SJLsc was associated with a peer relationship problem. In RCS analysis, SJLsc was associated with a higher likelihood of behavioral difficulties (p = 0.03) but not poor mental health or daytime sleepiness.

CONCLUSIONS

Sleep-corrected social jetlag was a unique risk factor for behavioral problems in adolescents. Our findings highlighted the need for interventions to promote healthy sleep-wake patterns in school adolescents.

Associations between Insomnia, Daytime Sleepiness, and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study

BACKGROUND

Insomnia, daytime sleepiness, and depressive symptoms are prevalent in adolescents. This three-wave prospective study examined the associations between the three symptoms in adolescents.

METHODS

A total of 6995 schoolchildren in 7th and 10th grades (Mean age = 14.86 years) participated in a longitudinal study of behavior and health in Shandong, China. Standardized rating scales were used to assess symptoms of insomnia, daytime sleepiness, and depression in November-December in 2015, 1 year later, and 2 years later.

RESULTS

Insomnia was cross-sectionally associated with 10-14-fold increased odds of daytime sleepiness and 5-9-fold increased odds of depression. Daytime sleepiness was associated with 4-5-fold increased odds of depression. Insomnia, daytime sleepiness, or depression at a later time point was significantly predicted by itself at earlier time points. Insomnia was a significant predictor of daytime sleepiness and depression and a mediator between depression and daytime sleepiness. Daytime sleepiness was a significant predictor of insomnia and a mediator between depression and insomnia. Depression was a significant predictor of insomnia and daytime sleepiness and a mediator between insomnia and daytime sleepiness.

CONCLUSIONS

Insomnia, daytime sleepiness, and depressive symptoms were highly comorbid in adolescents. The associations of insomnia with daytime sleepiness and depression were bidirectional. Depression predicted daytime sleepiness, but not vice versa. Further research is needed to understand the underlying neurobiological mechanisms between insomnia, daytime sleepiness, and depression during adolescence.

Longitudinal associations between high school sleep characteristics and young adult health outcomes

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Short sleep duration and evening chronotype are independently associated with negative health outcomes. However, it is unclear how adolescent sleep duration and chronotype are longitudinally associated with health outcomes during early adulthood.

METHODS

Participants from the NEXT Generation Health Study (n = 2,783; 54.5% female) completed measures of sleep duration (scheduled day and unscheduled day) and chronotype in high school. Sleep duration, chronotype, general health, depressive symptoms, and psychosomatic symptoms were also assessed 4 years after high school. Latent variables estimated high school scheduled-day sleep duration, unscheduled-day sleep duration, and chronotype using the during high school measures. Two path analyses tested the prospective associations between high school sleep duration (separate models for scheduled and unscheduled days) and chronotype with 4 years after high school health outcomes as mediated by concurrent sleep duration and chronotype.

RESULTS

In the scheduled-day model, longer high school sleep duration and later chronotype were associated with longer duration and later chronotype in early adulthood. Longer high school sleep duration was directly associated with fewer psychosomatic symptoms and indirectly associated with fewer depressive and psychosomatic symptoms through longer sleep duration in early adulthood. Later chronotype in high school was indirectly associated with poorer general health, greater depressive symptoms, and greater psychosomatic symptoms in early adulthood through later chronotype.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings highlight the roles of scheduled-day sleep duration and evening chronotype in shaping health outcomes and suggest the importance of chronotype and optimal sleep habits among adolescents.

CITATION

Maultsby KD, Temmen CD, Lewin D, et al. Longitudinal associations between high school sleep characteristics and young adult health outcomes. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(11):2527-2536.

The Effect of Chronotype on Oppositional Behaviour and Psychomotor Agitation of School-Age Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between chronotype, classroom behaviour and school performance in 140 healthy school-age children attending various levels of education during the 1st cycle during 2021 in Portugal. In this cross-sectional and quantitative study, the Chronotype Questionnaire for Children (to assess the chronotype) and the Conners Scale-a reduced version was presented to the teachers (to assess behaviours such as excessive movement, inattention and oppositional behaviours)-were used. The methodology of this study followed a comparative method since the independent variables were not controlled, and therefore, it was still possible to compare the differences between the morning and evening groups. Statistical methods were used such as multivariate analyses, inter-item correlations and reliability tests, and descriptive tests were used for the percentile analysis. The sample was divided into three groups based on the identification of the chronotype-morning, intermediate and evening types-to further study the relationship between these chronotypes, their academic performance and classroom behaviour were studied. A multivariate analysis of variance revealed that there was a higher rate of oppositional behaviour in the morning type and no differences in the school performance during the two semesters (covering all of the school periods) regarding the chronotype effect, even with the analysis of regression parameters and covariates. On the other hand, the morning-type children showed a greater amount of motor agitation and impulsivity after controlling for the gender covariate. Age had an effect on the chronotype, after controlling for the covariate parental education. This study highlights the need for further research on the chronotype of the morning children in order to regulate their behaviour. The data that were obtained raise questions that have not been yet considered in the literature in the area of education and infant development.

God save the owls! Religiosity moderates the relationship between morningness-eveningness and depressive symptoms

Studies show that eveningness preference and depressive symptoms are positively related. However, little is known about possible factors that could reduce this association. In the present study, we examine the moderating effects of religiosity on the relationship between eveningness and depressive symptoms. The main analyses were conducted on a group of 606 individuals (300 women and 306 men) aged 18 to 36 years (M = 29.00, SD = 4.95). The participants completed the Composite Scale of Morningness, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Centrality of Religiosity Scale. Our results confirmed earlier findings that eveningness was positively related to depressive symptoms. The magnitude of this association decreased with higher religiosity. This lead to the conclusion that religiosity may act as a protective factor against elevated depressive symptoms among evening-oriented individuals.

The associations of chronotype and social jetlag with prosocial behavior problems among Chinese adolescents

Potential relevance between the circadian rhythm and behavioral health has got raising attention in recent years. This study aimed to examine chronotype, social jetlag and their associations with prosocial behavior problems among Chinese adolescents. A total of 4,666 middle school students aged 12-18 years were enrolled in study. Sleep characteristics were collected by the modified Chinese version of Adolescent Sleep Hygiene Scale (M-ASHS); MSFsc and mid-sleep point were calculated to determine chronotypes and social jetlag. Prosocial behavior problems were assessed by the Strength and Difficult Questionnaire (SDQ). Multivariate logistic regression was applied to analyze the relationships between chronotype and social jetlag with prosocial behavior problems. Evening chronotype was associated with higher risk of prosocial behavior problems, whether among male (OR = 1.82, 95%CI:1.27-2.61, P = .001) or female adolescents (OR = 1.83, 95%CI:1.15-2.91, P = .011). Female adolescents with social jetlag of 1-2 hours had 1.60 times the risk of prosocial behavior problems than their peers whose social jetlag was <1 h (P = .028); social jetlag ≥ 2 h was positively associated with prosocial behavior problems in both male and female adolescents (OR = 1.79 and 2.45, respectively, both P < .05). Further, the combination of intermediate chronotype and social jetlag ≥ 2 h was correlated with prosocial behavior problems only in female adolescents (OR = 3.24, 95%CI = 1.40-9.21, P = .004). Evening chronotype and higher social jetlag were risk factors for prosocial behavior problems in adolescents, especially for the female. For the promotion of prosocial behavior in adolescents, the importance of circadian rhythm should be addressed.

What time do you plan to sleep tonight? An intense longitudinal study of adolescent daily sleep self-regulation via planning and its associations with sleep opportunity

BACKGROUND

Most adolescents are sleep deprived on school days, yet how they self-regulate their sleep-wake behaviours is poorly understood. Using ecological momentary assessment, this intense longitudinal study explored patterns of adolescents' daily bedtime and risetime planning and execution, and whether these behaviours predicted sleep opportunity.

METHODS

Every afternoon, for 2 school weeks and the subsequent 2 vacation weeks, 205 (54.1% female, 64.4% non-White) adolescents from year 10 to 12 (M ± SD_age  = 16.9 ± 0.9) reported their plans for bedtime (BT) that evening, and for risetimes (RT) the following day. Actual daily sleep was measured via actigraphy and sleep diary.

RESULTS

Some adolescents never planned bedtime (school 19.5%, non-school 53.2%) or risetime (school 1.5%, non-school 24.4%). More adolescents planned consistently (≥75% of days) on school (BT = 29.9%, RT = 61.3%) compared to non-school nights (BT = 3.5%, RT = 2.5%). On average, adolescents went to bed later than planned, with longer delays on non-school (71 min) compared to school nights (46 min). Of those who executed their plans within ≤15 min, more did it consistently (≥75% of days) on school (BT = 40.9%, RT = 67.7%) than on non-school nights/days (BT = 29.7%, RT = 58.6%). Mixed effects models utilizing daily data, controlling for sex, race, and study day, showed that bedtime planning predicted longer time in bed (TIB; p < .01) on school and shorter TIB on non-school nights (p < .01); and greater delay in actual (compared to planned) BT predicted shorter TIB (p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescents may require support during the transition from parent-controlled to autonomous sleep self-regulation. Bedtime planning on school nights and going to bed as planned are two modifiable sleep regulatory behaviours that are protective and potential therapeutic targets for increasing sleep opportunity in adolescents.

Persistence of Anxiety/Depression Symptoms in Early Adolescence: A Prospective Study of Daily Life Stress, Rumination, and Daytime Sleepiness in a Genetically Informative Cohort

In this prospective study of mental health, we examine the influence of three interrelated traits - perceived stress, rumination, and daytime sleepiness - and their association with symptoms of anxiety and depression in early adolescence. Given the known associations between these traits, an important objective is to determine the extent to which they may independently predict anxiety/depression symptoms. Twin pairs from the Queensland Twin Adolescent Brain (QTAB) project were assessed on two occasions (N = 211 pairs aged 9-14 years at baseline and 152 pairs aged 10-16 years at follow-up). Linear regression models and quantitative genetic modeling were used to analyze the data. Prospectively, perceived stress, rumination, and daytime sleepiness accounted for 8-11% of the variation in later anxiety/depression; familial influences contributed strongly to these associations. However, only perceived stress significantly predicted change in anxiety/depression, accounting for 3% of variance at follow-up after adjusting for anxiety/depression at baseline, although it did not do so independently of rumination and daytime sleepiness. Bidirectional effects were found between all traits over time. These findings suggest an underlying architecture that is shared, to some degree, by all traits, while the literature points to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and/or circadian systems as potential sources of overlapping influence and possible avenues for intervention.

Daytime sleepiness in elementary school students: the role of sleep quality and chronotype

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the occurrence of daytime sleepiness and associated sleep factors in a sample of elementary school students who attended school in the afternoon schedule.

METHODS

Sleep data from 363 Brazilian public school students (12.78 ± 1.36 years, 206 girls) were obtained by applying questionnaires in classrooms. All subjects attended school in the afternoon schedule, with classes starting between 1:00 and 1:20 p.m. Daytime sleepiness was assessed by the pediatric daytime sleepiness scale; sleep quality, by the mini-sleep questionnaire; and sleep patterns and chronotypes, by the Munich chronotype questionnaire. Scores equal to or greater than 15 pediatric daytime sleepiness scale points were considered as excessive daytime sleepiness. The predictive power of sleep variables on daytime sleepiness was evaluated by a multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

The subjects in the sample had an average time in bed greater than nine hours both on school days and on weekends. Nevertheless, 52.1% had an average pediatric daytime sleepiness scale score equal to or greater than 15 points, indicative of excessive daytime sleepiness. As for their quality of sleep, 41.1% had a very altered sleep. We observed, by a multiple linear regression, that quality of sleep (β = 0.417), chronotype (β = 0.174), mid-sleep on school days (β = 0.138), and time in bed (β = - 0.091) were all significant in predicting daytime sleepiness.

CONCLUSION

This study showed the occurrence of excessive daytime sleepiness in non-sleep deprived students who attended school in the afternoon. The worst quality of sleep and eveningness had a greater predictive power on daytime sleepiness than time in bed. Therefore, we must consider other factors in addition to sleep duration when planning interventions for daytime sleepiness.

Adjunctive bright light treatment with gradual advance in unipolar major depressive disorder with evening chronotype - A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Unipolar non-seasonal depressed patients with concomitant evening chronotype were associated with poor clinical outcomes and higher non-remission rate. This study aims to examine the efficacy of adjunctive bright light therapy with gradual timing advance in a randomized, assessor and prescriber-blinded controlled trial.

METHOD

Participants were randomly allocated to receive 5 weeks of either bright white light therapy (BLT) or dim red light (DRL) with the same advancement protocol. Participants were followed up till 5 months after treatment. Primary outcomes included (i) remission rate and (ii) the severity of depression. The analysis was conducted using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, Cox proportional hazard analysis and linear mixed models.

RESULTS

A total of 93 participants (46.4 ± 11.7 years old, 80% female) were randomized. The cumulative remission rate for the BLT and the DRL groups was 67.4% and 46.7%, respectively. Time to remission was shorter for the BLT group relative to the DRL group (log-rank test p = 0.024). Cox proportional hazard survival analysis showed that patients in the BLT group had a higher probability of achieving remission relative to patients in the DRL group [hazard ratio = 1.9 (95% CI = 1.1- 3.4), p = 0.026]. Further sensitivity analysis demonstrated greater improvement in 17-Hamilton Depression Score (group × time interaction, p = 0.04) in the BLT group for those who were adherent to light therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of bright light therapy with gradual advance protocol is an effective adjunctive treatment resulting in quicker and a higher rate of remission of depression in patients with non-seasonal unipolar depression and evening-chronotype.

Sleep problems, sleep duration, and use of digital devices among primary school students in Japan

BACKGROUND

There is growing concern that screen time and media use in school-age children can negatively affect children's sleep. These negative effects are explained by three main underlying mechanisms: reduced sleep, time allocated for more media consumption; increased mental, emotional, or psychological stimulation by media content; and the effects of light emitted by digital devices on circadian rhythms and sleep physiology and arousal. In this study, we focused not only on sleep duration, but also on sleep problems. We conducted a large-scale survey to examine the relationship between excessive use of digital devices, Internet addictive behaviour, sleep duration, and sleep problems.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of children enrolled in 20 public primary schools in Nagoya City, Japan. Children's parents/guardians completed a questionnaire including the brief sleep questionnaire for Japanese children which is a shortened version of the 'Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire'. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify associations between sleep problems and grade, sex, weekday sleep time, weekend sleep time, ownership of digital devices, frequent checking of digital devices, use of digital devices for more than 4 hours per day, and Internet addiction.

RESULTS

In total, 8172 responses were received (91.6% response rate). After excluding incomplete responses, we analysed complete datasets for 6893 children with a mean age of 9.0 years. When adjusted for sex, grade, sleep duration on weekdays, and sleep duration on weekends, failure to control (odds ratio [OR] = 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29-1.70; p < .001), more use than intended (OR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.12-1.44; p < .001), and use to escape a dysphoric mood (OR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.03-1.64; p = .027) were associated with children's sleep problems. A shorter weekday and a longer weekend sleep duration indicated a higher likelihood of sleep problems.

CONCLUSIONS

After adjusting for sleep duration, a relationship was found between the three Internet addictive behaviours and sleep problems, but not ownership of digital devices. Parents and teachers may need to address screen media-related sleep problems in children, as these problems may be influenced by psychological factors.

The Mediation Role of Health Behaviors in the Association between Self-Regulation and Weight Status among Preschool Children: A Sex-Specific Analysis

Previous studies have supported the link between children’s self-regulation (CSR) and weight status, but the potential pathways have not been elucidated yet. We aimed to investigate whether and to what extent health behaviors mediate this association, as well as to explore the sex effect. For this study, we recruited 3740 preschoolers in Wuhan, China. The height and weight of children were measured, and a body mass index of the ≥85th percentile was defined as overweight/obesity (OWO). We used the Children’s Behavior Questionnaire, with measured domains including inhibitory control, impulsivity, anger, and attentional focusing, to assess CSR. The primary caregivers’ SR (PSR) was assessed with the Self-Control Scale. Information on lifestyles collected from questionnaires was utilized to construct the health behavior index (HBI). We found that Children’s HBI was associated with both CSR and PSR, inhibitory control (OR = 0.81, p < 0.001), anger (OR = 1.23, p < 0.001), attentional focusing (OR = 0.70, p < 0.001), impulsivity (OR = 1.23, p < 0.001), and PSR (OR = 0.73, p < 0.001). Children’s impulsivity was associated with their OWO (OR = 1.11, p = 0.013) which was partly mediated by the HBI (direct effect: β = 0.092, p = 0.026; indirect effect: β = 0.011, p = 0.007). The sex-specific analysis indicated that this mediation effect was only significant in boys. These results indicated that impulsivity is associated with childhood weight status, which is partially mediated by health behaviors, especially in boys.

Adolescent Technology-use Rules and Sleep in a Large Representative Sample

PURPOSE

This study investigated the prevalence of technology-use rules, typical sleep habits, and associations between rules and sleep using the representative 2017-2018 California Health Interview Survey adolescent sample.

METHODS

Adolescents aged 12-17 years completed the California Health Interview Survey, including queries of (1) rules at home regarding times to turn off or put away electronics and (2) school-night bedtime and rise time. Rates of rules and associations between rules and sleep were investigated using descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariable analyses.

RESULTS

Seventy-two percent reported technology-use rules. Rates were comparable across subgroups. Rules and sleep were not significantly associated after adjusting for covariates. Reported time in bed fell below National Sleep Foundation guidelines for 38% of participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Most adolescents reported technology-use rules at home. Associations between rules and bedtime were mixed, suggesting that further exploration of contextual and developmental factors is needed. Many reported inadequate sleep duration, supporting sleep as a key topic in adolescent health.

Nightmare frequency and psychopathological problems in a large sample of Chinese adolescents

PURPOSE

Nightmares are common, especially in pediatric populations and psychiatric patients. Nightmares are associated with daytime distress and negative health outcomes. The data on the prevalence and psychopathological profiles of nightmares in Chinese adolescents are limited. This study examined age and gender differences in nightmare frequency and associated psychopathological problems in a large sample of Chinese adolescents.

METHODS

A total of 11,831 adolescent students (mean age = 14.9, 12-18 years) participated in the baseline survey of Shandong Adolescent Behavior and Health Cohort. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire to report their nightmare frequency, trait anger, hopelessness, and multiple domains of behavioral/emotional problems. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine psychopathological problems in relation to nightmare frequency.

RESULTS

Of the sample, 45.2% reported having nightmares at least once in the past month and 7.9% at least once/week. Girls reported more frequent nightmares than boys. Nightmare frequency significantly declined with age for both boys and girls. Mean scores on trait anger, hopelessness, attention, internalizing problems, and externalizing problems significantly increased with nightmare frequency. Frequent nightmares (at least once/week) were significantly associated with 2-4-fold increased likelihood of behavioral/emotional problems after adjusting for adolescent and family covariates.

CONCLUSION

Nightmares are prevalent in Chinese adolescents. Frequent nightmares are associated with multiple domains of psychopathological problems. Assessment and intervention of frequent nightmares should be incorporated into routine clinical practice and mental health services in adolescents.

Features of Pupils in Each Dinner Habit: Non-late Regular, Regular but Late, and Irregular

Background:

Both late and irregular caloric intakes are becoming common, especially among young adults. This study aimed to investigate features of pupils in Japan following different dinner habits.

Methods:

Dinner habits were categorized into 3 types: non-late regular, regular but late, and irregular. Questionnaires of 2722 pupils in grades 5 to 12 were included, and a multiple comparison test was conducted to investigate the differences of lifestyle factors among the 3 dinner-pattern categories.

Results:

Only half of grade 5 and 6 pupils had non-late regular dinners. The rate of pupils who had regular but late dinners increased from elementary school (11.8%) to senior high school (41.1%) via junior high school (15.1%). More than 30% of pupils took dinner irregularly. The pupils taking non-late regular dinner showed the earliest bedtime and the longest sleep duration among the 3 dinner-time habit categories and also revealed the best academic performance and sleepiness scores. The pupils taking regular but late dinner showed the highest grade, the latest bedtime, the shortest sleep duration, the longest school-day screen time scores, and the worst sleepiness and self-reported academic performance scores. Irregular dinner-takers showed the longest after-school activities.

Conclusions:

Further attention should be given to both late and irregular dinner habits of pupils in terms of supporting their health. Further studies are needed to recommend suitable dinner timings for pupils by assessing optimal levels of variable lifestyle factors, including after-school activity.

Player Chronotype Does Not Affect In-Game Performance during the Evening (>18:00 h) in Professional Male Basketball Players

Sport-specific skills display diurnal variation across various team sports such as badminton and tennis serving accuracy and soccer dribbling, volleying, and chipping execution. However, the effects of athlete chronotype on in-game sport-specific skill performance according to time of day across team sports is not well understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the effect of player chronotype on in-game basketball performance during evening games. Professional male basketball players (n = 11) completed a morningness-eveningness questionnaire and were categorized according to chronotype (morning-type: n = 4; neither-type: n = 6; evening-type: n = 1). Box score data from the 2019/20 season were utilized to determine individual in-game performance during evening games played after 18:00 h. Composite metrics (i.e., effective field goal percentage, offensive rating, defensive rating, and player efficiency) were used as indicators of player performance. Non-significant (p ≥ 0.21) differences were evident between M-types and N-types for most performance measures. Small to very large effects were observed in the number of rebounds favoring M-types, and three-point shots attempted and made, assists, and steals favored N-types. In-game performance appeared to not be affected by chronotype (i.e., M-type vs. N-type) in evening games among professional male basketball players. The lack of observed effect between chronotype and in-game performance suggest coaching staff may not need to consider player chronotype when developing a match strategy or assigning player roles if largely dealing with M-types and N-types. However, to ensure the greatest specificity, coaching staff may endeavor to schedule habitual training times in line with that of competition in an effort to align player circadian rhythms to games.

School commute time, chronotype, and altered HPA axis functioning during adolescence

Hypothalamic pituitary adrenal gland (HPA) axis functioning has been linked with daily demands during adolescence. A ubiquitous, yet understudied daily demand in the lives of youth is the commute to school, which may be associated with the diurnal rhythm of cortisol as demonstrated in prior research among adults. The current study hypothesized that longer school commute times would be associated with altered HPA axis functioning as demonstrated by a heightened cortisol awakening response (CAR) and flatter diurnal slope. Additionally, given that the HPA axis follows a diurnal rhythm and adolescence is marked by changes in the circadian rhythm, adolescents with a more evening chronotype were hypothesized to evince even more altered HPA axis functioning in the face of long school commute times. A total of 269 adolescents (M = 16.38 years, SD = 0.74) provided saliva samples at wake, 15-min. post-wake, and 30-min. post-wake for the calculation of CAR and at dinnertime and bedtime for the calculation of diurnal slope, completed up to 8 nights of sleep actigraphy, and self-reported school commute time. Results suggest that more evening chronotype youth with longer school commute times evince a higher CAR, but not an altered diurnal slope. The present findings may have implications for adolescent mental health as higher CAR has been associated poor mental health and heightened stress.

The moderating role of personality traits in the relationship between chronotype and depressive symptoms

Due to the undeniably morning orientation of the social clock, the evening chronotype can be associated with negative consequences, both at the affective and cognitive levels. Evening-oriented individuals are more susceptible to affective disorders, show poorer educational achievements and consume stimulants more often than morning-oriented individuals. However, little is known about potential factors that may attenuate or amplify these negative emotional consequences of the evening preference. Thus, our aim was to examine whether personality traits interplay with chronotype in predicting depressive symptoms. We assessed the Big Five and the Big Two personality traits, morningness-eveningness and depressive symptoms in an online sample of 913 Polish individuals (468 females, 445 males), aged 18-35 (M = 26.34, SD = 5.15). Eveningness, higher neuroticism, lower conscientiousness and lower alpha-stability were associated with higher depressive symptoms. The magnitude of the association between eveningness and depressive symptoms decreased with higher conscientiousness and alpha-stability, as well as with lower neuroticism. In conclusion, high neuroticism, low conscientiousness and low alpha-stability increase the risk of depressive symptoms, particularly among evening chronotypes. The patients' chronotypes and personality traits should be taken into account in both the prevention and diagnostics of depression.

Associations of circadian factors with insomnia symptoms and emotional and behavioral problems among school-age children

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To examine the associations of circadian characteristics (ie, chronotype and social jetlag) with insomnia symptoms and emotional and behavioral problems among school-age children.

METHODS

A total of 620 primary school children (median_age = 10.06, standard deviation = 1.16, 58.7% boys) were recruited and assessed by a set of parent-report questionnaires, including Children's Sleep Habit Questionnaire for measuring sleep-wake patterns and insomnia symptoms (bedtime resistance, sleep onset delay, and night waking), Children's Chronotype Questionnaire for assessing the child's chronotype preference, and Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire for assessing emotional and behavioral problems. Linear regression models were applied to examine the associations of chronotype and social jetlag with insomnia symptoms and mental health outcomes, in which age, sex, family income, and average sleep duration were entered as covariates.

RESULTS

Evening chronotype was significantly associated with bedtime resistance and sleep onset delay, while social jetlag was not related to insomnia symptoms. Evening chronotype was also significantly associated with externalizing symptoms after controlling for potential confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

Evening chronotype, but not social jetlag, was the risk factor for insomnia symptoms, and evening chronotype was further associated with increased behavioral problems in school-age children. Our findings underscored the roles of circadian factors in relation to sleep and mental health problems in this young population.

CITATION

Sun W, Kwok NTT, Chan NY, et al. Associations of circadian factors with insomnia symptoms and emotional and behavioral problems among school-age children. J Clin Sleep Med. 2021;17(10):2107-2114.

Which Is More Important for Health: Sleep Quantity or Sleep Quality?

Sleep is one of the basic physiological processes for human survival. Both sleep quantity and sleep quality are fundamental components of sleep. This review looks at both sleep quantity and sleep quality, considering how to manage the complex but probably unavoidable physiological phenomenon of sleep. The need for sleep has marked variations between individuals, in addition to the effects of variable conditions. Studies on sleep quality started later than those on sleep quantity, beginning in 1989 when Ford and Kamerow revealed that insomnia increases the risk of psychiatric disorders. According to the nationwide research team on the quality of sleep (19FA0901), sleep quality is superior to sleep quantity as an index for assessing sleep, and that restfulness obtained through sleep is a useful index for assessing sleep quality. We should pay more attention to obtaining sleep of good quality (restfulness, no sleepiness, no need for more sleep, sufficient objective sleep depth, etc.), although there have not been enough studies on the associations between sleep quality and health or disorders in children and adolescents. Further studies using the deviation from an individual’s optimal sleep quantity may show us another aspect of the effects of sleep quantity on various life issues.

Self-Regulation in Pediatric Nursing Literature: An Evolutionary Concept Exploration

The concept of self-regulation appears frequently in nursing literature. Although the concept is well developed in nonnursing theories, its application in nursing has not been explored adequately. Most nursing authors address self-regulation in one of two ways. Some publish findings without a strong theoretical understanding of self-regulation. Others publish studies using a conglomeration of theorists' self-regulatory explanations without properly contextualizing the theoretical elements for nursing practice. For this concept exploration, the authors used Rodgers, B. L. (2005). Developing nursing knowledge: Philosophical traditions and influences Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, evolutionary concept analysis method to determine the current use of self-regulation in pediatric nursing literature and trace the concept's recent development, changes, and expansion. This work provides a representation of self-regulation based on existing healthcare studies and suggests steps for concept clarification that could promote accurate use of the concept in future research.

Associations of frequent pain symptoms with excessive daytime sleepiness in adolescents: a longitudinal study

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Pain symptoms, sleep disturbance, and daytime sleepiness are common in adolescents. This study examined the cross-sectional and prospective associations between pain symptoms and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in a large sample of adolescents.

METHODS

Participants were 7,072 adolescents (mean age = 14.6 years) in a follow-up study of behavior and health in Shandong, China. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to assess pain symptoms (headache, stomachache, and other general pain), body weight and height, sleep, anxiety/depression, substance use, and family environment in November-December in 2015 and one year later. The Chinese adolescent daytime sleepiness scale (CADSS) was used to measure daytime sleepiness.

RESULTS

Of the sample, 19.8% and 23.2% had moderate or severe EDS at baseline and at 1-year follow-up, respectively. The prevalence and 1-year incidence rates of EDS significantly increased with the frequencies of pain symptoms. Frequent pain was significantly associated with increased risk of EDS at baseline (OR=2.01, 95% CI=1.56-2.59), incident EDS (OR=1.41, 95% CI=1.03-1.93), and persistent EDS (OR=2.17, 95% CI=1.52-3.09) while adjusting for adolescent and family covariates, including anxiety/depression, nocturnal sleep duration, insomnia symptoms, frequent snoring, body mass index, and hypnotic use. Similar associations were observed across headache, stomachache, and other pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Frequent pain is significantly and independently associated with increased risk of EDS. Our findings suggest that assessing and treating pain symptoms is important to improve healthy sleep and reduce risk of EDS in adolescents. Further research is needed to understand the underlying psychological and neurobiological mechanisms between pain and daytime sleepiness in adolescents.

Feasibility/acceptability of an acceptance-based therapy intervention for diverse adolescent girls with overweight/obesity

BACKGROUND

Behavioral obesity interventions using an acceptance-based therapy (ABT) approach have demonstrated efficacy for adults, yet feasibility and acceptability of tailoring an ABT intervention for adolescents remains unknown.

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of an ABT healthy lifestyle intervention among diverse adolescent cisgender girls with overweight/obesity (OW/OB).

METHODS

Adolescent cisgender girls aged 14-19 with a BMI of ≥85th percentile-for-sex-and-age were recruited for participation in a single-arm feasibility study. The primary outcomes were recruitment and retention while the secondary outcome was change in BMI Z-score over the 6-month intervention. Exploratory outcomes included obesity-related factors, health-related behaviors, and psychological factors.

RESULTS

Recruitment goals were achieved; 13 adolescents (>60% racial/ethnic minorities) participated in the intervention, and 11 completed the intervention (85% retention). In completers (n = 11), a mean decrease in BMI Z-score of -0.15 (SD = 0.34, Cohen's d = -0.44) was observed. Improvements were also noted for change in percentage of 95th percentile (d = -0.35), percent body fat (d = -0.35), quality of life (d = 0.71), psychological flexibility (d = -0.86), and depression (d = -0.86).

CONCLUSIONS

These preliminary findings suggest an ABT healthy lifestyle intervention tailored for adolescent cisgender girls with OW/OB may be an acceptable treatment that could lead to improvements in BMI Z-score, obesity-related measures, and psychological outcomes.

Investigation of the relationships between sleep behaviors and risk of healthspan termination: a prospective cohort study based on 323,373 UK-Biobank participants

OBJECTIVES

To examine the associations between four sleep behaviors and the risk of healthspan termination.

METHODS

This study included 323,373 participants, free of terminated healthspan at baseline, from the UK-Biobank (UKB). We applied multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models to estimate the risk of terminated healthspan based on four sleep behaviors (insomnia/sleeplessness, napping, daytime sleepiness, and difficulty getting up from bed), which were self-reported and measured on Likert scales from "usually" to "never/rarely" experiences. In this study, healthspan was defined based on eight events that are strongly associated with longevity (congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, dementia, diabetes, cancer, and death).

RESULTS

Participants who reported the following unhealthy sleep behaviors had a significantly higher risk of terminated healthspan: "usually experience sleeplessness/insomnia" (HR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.03-1.07; P < 0.001); "usually nap" (HR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.18-1.26; P < 0.01); "excessive daytime sleepiness" (HR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.19-1.32; P < 0.001); and "difficult getting up from bed" (HR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.05-1.10; P < 0.001). The corresponding population attributable risk percentage (PAR%) indicated that about 7% of healthspan termination in this cohort would have been eliminated if all participants had healthy sleep behaviors.

CONCLUSION

Participants who reported "usually experience sleeplessness/insomnia," "usually nap," "excessive daytime sleepiness," and "difficult getting up from bed" had increased risk of shortened healthspan. Therefore, adherence to healthy sleep behavior is significant for the extension of healthspan.

Role of Sleep Duration in the Association Between Socioecological Protective Factors and Health Risk Behaviors in Adolescents

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of sleep duration and socioecological protective factors with patterns of adolescent risk behaviors in Fairfax County, VA-one of the largest public school districts in the United States.

METHODS

A total of 21,360 and 20,330 students in 10th and 12th grades who completed the Youth Risk Behavior Survey were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Sleep duration was measured by self-report of the average number of hours of sleep on a school night. Ten socioecological protective factors included peer-individual, family, school, and community domains. Latent class analysis was used to classify 7 risk behaviors (alcohol use, cigarette use, illicit drug use, inappropriate prescription drug use, risky sexual behavior, deviant behavior, and academic failure) into 4 class memberships (low, some, moderate, and high). Multinomial regression models were adjusted for age, sex, and race.

RESULTS

Adolescents who reported sleeping the recommended 8 to 9 hours were significantly less likely to belong to the class memberships of greater risk behaviors compared with those who reported short and long sleep duration after controlling for age, sex, race, and survey year. There was a significant inverse relationship between the number of socioecological protective factors and risk behaviors for both 10th and 12th graders. Potential risks of age, sex, and race on risk behaviors were observed. No significant interaction between sleep duration and protective factors was found in either grade.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the significant associations between sleep duration and risk behaviors in adolescents with diverse socioecological protective factors. Prioritization of prevention-focused resources should consider sleep duration in addition to the socioecological protective factors commonly cited in the literature when addressing adolescent risk behaviors.

A daily diary study of sleep chronotype among Mexican-origin adolescents and parents: Implications for adolescent behavioral health

The current study used daily assessments of sleep to examine stability and change in sleep chronotype in adolescents and their parents. The study assessed adolescent sleep chronotype according to age, gender, and parent chronotype, and evaluated its associations with emotional and behavioral problems in youth. Participants included of 417 Mexican American adolescents (Mage = 16.0 years, Range = 13.9-20.0) and 403 caregivers, who reported bed and wake times daily for 2 consecutive weeks at two time points spaced 1 year apart. In addition, adolescents completed established self-report questionnaires of emotional and behavioral problems. Chronotype was computed as the midsleep point from bed to wake time on free days, correcting for sleep debt accumulated across scheduled days. Multilevel modeling showed a curvilinear association between adolescent age and chronotype, with a peak eveningness observed between ages 16 to 17. Adolescent and parent chronotypes were contemporaneously correlated, but each was only moderately stable over the 1-year period. Later adolescent chronotype was contemporaneously associated with more substance use in all adolescents. Individual development and the family context shape sleep chronotype in adolescents and parents. Sleep chronotype is implicated in adolescent behavioral health.

Relationships of sleep traits with lung cancer risk: a prospective cohort study in UK Biobank

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To prospectively investigate the association between sleep traits and lung cancer risk, accounting for the interactions with genetic predisposition of lung cancer.

METHODS

We included 469,691 individuals free of lung cancer at recruitment from UK Biobank, measuring sleep behaviors with a standardized questionnaire and identifying incident lung cancer cases through linkage to national cancer and death registries. We estimated multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for lung cancer (2,177 incident cases) across four sleep traits (sleep duration, chronotype, insomnia and snoring), and examined the interaction and joint effects with a lung cancer polygenic risk score.

RESULTS

A U-shaped association was observed for sleep duration and lung cancer risk, with a 18% higher risk (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-1.30) for short sleepers and a 17% higher risk (95%CI: 1.02-1.34) for long sleepers compared with normal sleepers (7-8 h/day). Evening preference was associated with elevated lung cancer risk compared with morning preference (HR: 1.25; 95%CI: 1.07-1.46), but no association was found for insomnia or snoring. Compared to participants with favorable sleep traits and low genetic risk, those with both unfavorable sleep duration (<7 hours or >8 hours) or evening preference and high genetic risk showed the greatest lung cancer risk (HRsleep duration: 1.83; 95%CI: 1.47-2.27; HRchronotype: 1.85; 95%CI: 1.34-2.56).

CONCLUSIONS

Both unfavorable sleep duration and evening chronotype were associated with increased lung cancer incidence, especially for those with low to moderate genetic risk. These results indicate that sleep behaviors as modifiable risk factors may have potential implications for lung cancer risk.

Acute and chronic sleep deprivation in residents: Cognition and stress biomarkers

OBJECTIVES

Insufficient sleep affects circadian hormonal profiles and inflammatory markers and may modulate attention, executive functioning and decision-making. Medical professionals and specifically resident physicians, who are involved in long-term nightshift schedules during their post-graduate training, are prone to acute and chronic sleep deprivation and disruption, putting them at risk for making medical errors. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of chronic and acute-on-chronic sleep deprivation and disruption among residents on selected physiological and cognitive measures.

METHODS

Thirty-three medical and surgical residents were evaluated twice - at baseline and after a 26-hour shift. Eighteen young attending physicians who did not engage in nightshift schedules served as controls and were evaluated once. Measures included morning cortisol and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), computerised tests of attention and behaviour, the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function, a risk-taking questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.

RESULTS

Residents, but not attendings, reported chronic sleep disruption and deprivation. Residents at baseline exhibited reduced morning cortisol levels and elevated hs-CRP levels, compared to attendings. Residents at baseline had impaired global executive function compared to attendings. A nightshift with acute sleep deprivation further reduced residents' executive function. Residents at baseline and after a nightshift demonstrated increased impulsivity and slower processing time than attendings. Residents and attendings did not differ in risk-taking tendencies which were assessed in a separate cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

In a real-life setting, resident physicians exhibit increased low-grade systemic inflammation (hs-CRP) and impaired HPA-axis function. Their chronic sleep curtailment is associated with greater impulsivity, slower cognitive processing, and impaired executive function. Future research is warranted to understand how improving working schedule by increasing sleep duration may minimise the short-term and potential long-term risks to physicians in training.

Time Perspective and Bedtime Procrastination: The Role of the Chronotype-Time Perspective Relationship

INTRODUCTION

Bedtime procrastination (BP) has a close relationship with one's chronotype, from a biological perspective on time. However, it remains unknown whether there is an association between BP and psychological time. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between time perspective (TP) and BP and the effect of TP on the relationship between BP and chronotype by examining a sample of college students pre- and post-COVID-19 outbreak.

METHODS

A total of 628 Chinese students (267 in pre-outbreak and 361 in post-outbreak) validly completed the Chinese version of the Bedtime Procrastination Scale, the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI), and the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Students with more BP behaviors exhibited greater deviation from a balanced TP, especially after the COVID-19 outbreak. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that the past-negative and future orientations, as operationalized by the ZTPI, contributed independently to BP behaviors. The structural equation modeling analyses further demonstrated that morningness was significantly related to a more future-oriented TP, which in turn decreased BP in pre- and post-COVID-19 outbreak samples, while morningness was associated with a less past-negative-oriented TP, which in turn decreased BP only in the post-COVID-19 outbreak sample.

CONCLUSION

This study indicated that TP in students with BP predominantly focused on future orientation and that TP can mediate the relationship between chronotype and BP behaviors. However, the COVID-19 pandemic may disrupt the time flow and change the role of chronotype-TP in BP. These findings explain how individual differences in TP are associated with BP, which may be helpful in designing effective interventions to avoid BP, from the viewpoint of time perspective therapy.

Associations of Sleep Insufficiency and Chronotype with Inflammatory Cytokines in College Students

PURPOSE

Sleep insufficiency and circadian rhythm disturbances in college students have become prominent. Current findings show that sleep insufficiency is closely related to inflammation. Studies on the correlation between chronotype and inflammatory factors are still lacking. Therefore, this research intended to examine the relationships between sleep duration, chronotype and inflammatory cytokines in young adults, and to estimate the correlation between chronotype and inflammatory cytokines stratified by sleep duration.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study in April and May 2019. Participants were recruited from two colleges located in central China. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Morning and Evening Questionnaire-5 (MEQ-5) were administered to assess sleep duration and chronotype. Sleep duration less than 7 hours was defined as insufficient sleep. Fasting venous blood was collected to measure plasma levels of inflammatory markers including IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10.

RESULTS

A total of 723 participants were included in this study, with a mean age of 18.68 years (standard deviation=0.99). After adjusting for confounding factors, the results of generalized linear model showed that sleep insufficiency was positively correlated with IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-10; and evening-types (E-types) were positively associated with the levels of IL-1β and IL-6 (p<0.05). Compared to the control group (sleep sufficiency and M-types), there were positive interaction effects of sleep insufficiency and neutral-types (N-types) on the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10 (p<0.05). The hierarchical regression model showed that N-types and E-types were positively correlated to the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10 among college students with sleep insufficiency (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The levels of inflammatory markers were higher among college students with sleep insufficiency and E-types. N-types and E-types were positively correlated with IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10 among college students with sleep insufficiency.