Adolescent Sleep - Essay Example

The Effects of Sleep Deprivation in Adolescents Perspectives on Adolescent Sleep Patterns Existing literature has consistently demonstrated the vital role of sleep in human normal waking functioning. There has been a growing interest on research about the effects of sleep deprivation especially among adolescents as school-related problems and accidents have been high correlated with lack of sleep. According to a poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), “about three out of ten teens reported being in an accident or coming close to one --- because of drowsy driving” (Makarian, 2009, p. 24). NSF further reported that 62% of high school students sleep fewer than seven hours during school night, significantly lesser than the eight hours to nine and a half hours that is recommended by experts. What are the reasons behind these? This paper attempts to examine the effects of sleep deprivation among adolescents by initially providing an overview of the theories behind adolescent sleep patterns. It is followed by a section providing empirical evidence for the detrimental effects of lack of sleep in adolescents. The paper concludes with a recommendation on interventions that can be adopted to address these sleep-related problems. Sleep patterns of human beings, as Carskadon (2002) has pointed out, “emerge from a complex interplay of several distinct processes: maturation and development, behavioral phenomena, and intrinsic sleep and circadian regulatory mechanisms” (p. 4). The adolescent stage is marked by changing psychosocial environment that significantly impacts sleep patterns. In 1979, Carskadon’s initial study in sleep patterns revealed that as student reach high school, parent’s influence on sleeping habits dramatically decreases. The later part of the twentieth century however, saw the increase in amount of time adolescents spent in working for money which drastically affected their sleeping patterns. While behavioral and psychosocial perspectives dominated theories of sleep patterns in the past, technological advances have allowed for empirical data that sheds light on the biological functions affecting sleep. One of the reasons associated with the changes in sleep patterns in adolescent is the shifting of the circadian rhythm, the body’s internal clock to a later schedule. The brain chemical melatonin, which triggers sleep, does the same thing” (Makarian, 2009, p.24). Such is the reason why even if teenagers hop into bed early, they still have trouble falling asleep. Taking into consideration these biological changes and the relatively early starting time for classes in high school, it is no wonder that adolescents are having difficulties negotiating with the demands of their internal clocks and the mandated school time. Several studies in the succeeding section show support for the argument that adolescent students can benefit more with a later starting time for school coupled with some school-based interventions. Research Related to Improving Sleeping Habits among Adolescents The first two studies presented provide support for the biological theory of sleep patterns. Noland, Dake and Tellohan (2009) examined how sleep duration affects the health of adolescents. They gathered data from 384 students in ninth to twelfth grade and found that most students obtained inadequate sleep on school days with less than 10% of the respondents reporting less than 6 hours of sleep each night. The study highlighted that shorter sleep durations resulted in fatigue throughout the day, difficulty in attention during class, lower academic performance, increased stress levels, and poor interpersonal skills. Students who obtained fewer hours of sleep were most likely to report being overweight and stressed. Furthermore, students reported resorting to taking sleeping pills, smoking cigarettes to relax and drinking in the evening in order to induce sleep. In a related study by Liu, Zhao & Buysee (2008), 1056 adolescents and 838 parents that were required to complete questionnaires about sleep patterns and problems. Results show that tenth graders, compared to seventh graders, went to bed later and awake earlier resulting in 1 hour of sleep less per day. They also reported poor sleep quality, non-satisfactory sleep, insomnia, and day time sleepiness. Moreover, difficulties in initiating sleep in adolescents were significantly associated with history of insomnia in mother and fathers. These studies demonstrate the biological underpinnings behind sleep patterns. Consequently, they provide support for the argument that adolescents are at high risk for insufficient sleep and starting school at a later time would be a beneficial step in the growth and development of these students. Counseling and education programs on sleep benefits have also been proven as effective ways to combat sleep problems. Nolan et al.’s (2009) study included the effects of sleep education programs, such as that of the Minneapolis Public School System, as effective ways of informing students and parents of the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation. This psychosocial approach to sleep pattern is supported by the findings from the study of Brand, Gerber, Hatzinger and Beck (2009) which highlights in particular the influence of parental behavior in psychological functioning and sleep. A total of 293 adolescents composed of 214 females and 79 males with mean age of 17.5 completed questionnaires about their psychological functioning, sleep logs, parents’ sleep and parenting style. Results indicate that sleep patterns of parents and their adolescent child are similar. Furthermore, their sleep deprivation on mothers has a direct impact on parenting style, which consequently affects adolescents psychological functioning and sleep. The two studies discussed above strongly illustrate that a positive initiative in schools should entail providing parents and students with counseling and education on the benefits of good quality sleep while emphasizing how poor sleep patterns influence their own life and the people around them.  The last two studies examine the effect of exercise in sleeping habits of adolescents. Brand, Gerber, Hatzinger, Beck, and Puhse (2010) discovered a positive correlation between chronic vigorous exercises and improved sleeping hours. The study consisted of 434 adolescents, 258 of which were athletes while 176 were average students designated as the control group. The participants completed a sleep log for 7 days and several self-rating questionnaires.  Compared with control group, athletes reported better sleep patterns including sleep quality, shortened sleep onset latency, and fewer awakening after sleep onset, less tiredness throughout the day, and increased concentration throughout the day. Athlete groups also reported significantly lower anxiety and fewer depressive symptoms. In a much related study, Brand, Beck, Gerber, Hatzinger, and Holsboer-Trachsler (2009) the researchers investigated the impact of football/ soccer on the sleep patterns of 36 male chronic and intense football players and 34 control participants. The participants were required to fill out sleep logs for 7 days in a row. When comparing football players and control groups, football players showed shorter sleep onset latency, fewer awakenings, higher scores of sleep quality and a lower variability of sleep from weekends to weekdays. Taken together, the studies prove the benefits of physical activity, specifically exercise, on improving sleep quantity and quality among adolescents. Ergo, prescribing exercise programs in school for adolescent students will be a beneficial step in their development and performance in school. The paper started with a brief overview of the perspectives on sleep patterns in adolescents followed by research studies that give support for measures that schools can adopt to assist students in high school. The paper provided evidence for the recommendation of the following initiatives: (1) starting school at a later time in the day; (2) counseling and education programs for students and parents on benefits of proper sleep; (3) exercise regimen in school. References Markarian, M. (2006). Wake up call: More z’s equal better health. Current health 2, 36(2), pp. 22-25. Brand, S., Beck, J., Gerber, M., Hatzinger, M., Holsboer-Trachsler, E. (2009). Football is good for your sleep: favourable sleep patterns and psychological functioning of adolescents male intense football players compared to controls. Journal of Health Psychology, 14(8), pp.1144-1155.  Brand, S., Gerber, M., Hatzinger, M. & Beck, J. (2009). Evidence for similarities between adolescents and parents in sleep patterns. Sleep Medicine, 10(10), pp.1124-1131.  Brand S., Gerber M., Hatzinger M., Beck J. & Puhse, U. (2010). High exercise levels are related to favourable sleep patterns and psychological functioning in adolescents: A Ccmparison of athletes and controls. Journal of Adolescent Health, 46(2), pp.133-144.  Carskadon, M.A. (Ed.). (2002). Adolescent sleep patterns: Biological, social and psychological influences. New York: Cambridge University Press.  Liu, X., Zhao, Z., Jia, C., & Buysee, D. (2008). Sleep patterns and problems among adolescents. Pediatrics, 121(6), pp.1165-1173.  Noland, H., Price, J.H., Dake, J. & Tellohann, S.K. (2009). Adolescents sleep behaviours and perceptions of sleep. Journal of School Health, 79, pp.224-230.  Recommended Interventions to Address Sleep Deprivation Related Problems among Adolescents Read More