Desperate for Sleep: Exploring Parental Perceptions of Melatonin Use Among Adolescents With Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
Alyson E Hanish, Shelby M Freudenburg, Abbey J Klein and 2 others
PMID 41175057WHAT IT FOUND
Parents of adolescents with autism or ADHD said melatonin helped sleep and seemed natural, but many switched brands, changed doses, and paused it seasonally.
These are perceptions, not evidence that melatonin works.
Key findings
01All parents reported trouble falling asleep before melatonin, and most said sleep difficulties happened nightly.
02Parents described melatonin as helping sleep in some way, but most did not use it as a first-line treatment.
03Most parents perceived melatonin as safe and natural, but many switched brands based on convenience or cost.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only parents were interviewed, so adolescents' own experiences and objective sleep outcomes were not captured. The study used a convenience sample of 26 parents from one Midwest medical center, so it may not reflect other families. Melatonin use was described through perceptions, not measured sleep or adverse events. Brand and dose details were self-reported and often uncertain. No cultural themes emerged despite including cultural questions.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was supported by the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Nursing.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that melatonin works or is safe for adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders. Parents reported positive perceptions, but the study did not measure sleep directly, compare groups, or assess adverse events, and melatonin was used after many other sleep strategies.