Sleep quality in adolescents in relation to age and sleep-related habitual and environmental factors

INTRODUCTION: Our objective is to evaluate the sleep quality in adolescents in relation to age and sleep-related habitual and environmental factors.


METHODS: A total of 150 adolescents aged 12-20 years (mean(SD) age: 15.5(1.9) years; 65.3% were female) were included on a voluntary basis in this cross-sectional questionnaire survey. The questionnaire form included items on subject demographics (age, gender), before sleep activities (tea/coffee consumption, reading, use of social media), presence and of electronic devices (computer, TV, cell phone) in the bedroom and presence of roommate, as well as items on Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
RESULTS: Usual bedtime between 23: 00-24: 00 pm (38.0%), sleep latency of 15 minutes (38.0%), sleep duration of ≥7 hours (79.0%) and usual wake up time between 6.00-7.00 am (41.7%) were the most commonly identified sleeping patterns. PSQI total scores revealed poor sleep quality (scores ≥5) in 82.0% of participants, while 40.0% of participants rated their sleep quality to be poor. Later bedtime (≥24.00) was more likely in late-adolescents (64.7%) than earlier age groups (p=0.009). Sleep latency >30 minutes, difficulty in breathing and bad dreams during sleep, presence of electronic device in the bedroom and use of social media before sleep and difficulty in performing daily activities were associated with higher likelihood of PSQI-based poor sleep quality (p<0.05 for each).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our findings revealed poor sleep quality (PSQI scores >5) in 82.0% of adolescents, regardless of adolescence period, and association sleep latency >30 minutes, difficulty in breathing and bad dreams during sleep, presence of electronic device in the bedroom and use of social media near bedtime with higher likelihood PSQI-based poor sleep quality.