Sleepless in Chicago: tracking the effects of adolescent sleep loss during the middle school years

Child Dev. 2004 Jan-Feb;75(1):84-95. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2004.00655.x.

Abstract

The influence of the sleep patterns of 2,259 students, aged 11 to 14 years, on trajectories of depressive symptoms, self-esteem, and grades was longitudinally examined using latent growth cross-domain models. Consistent with previous research, sleep decreased over time. Students who obtained less sleep in sixth grade exhibited lower initial self-esteem and grades and higher initial levels of depressive symptoms. Similarly, students who obtained less sleep over time reported heightened levels of depressive symptoms and decreased self-esteem. Sex of the student played a strong role as a predictor of hours of sleep, self-esteem, and grades. This study underscores the role of sleep in predicting adolescents' psychosocial outcomes and highlights the importance of using idiographic methodologies in the study of developmental processes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Chicago
  • Child
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Depression / psychology
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychometrics
  • Risk Factors
  • Self Concept
  • Sleep Deprivation / epidemiology*
  • Sleep Deprivation / psychology*
  • Urban Population*