Reasons for sleeping difficulties as perceived by adolescents: a content analysis.
Malin Jakobsson, Karin Josefsson, Karin Högberg
PMID 31487078WHAT IT FOUND
Adolescents attribute their sleep difficulties to an imbalance between demands and resources.
Stress, technology use, and poor sleep habits are the top reasons. School nurses should address these lifestyle factors and existential worries in health promotion work.
Key findings
01Stress was the most common reason for sleeping difficulties, cited 251 times, followed by technology use (161) and poor sleep habits (152).
02Adolescents perceive their sleep difficulties as an imbalance between requirements (school, social, digital) and preconditions (time, structure, support).
03Technology use, particularly mobile phones and gaming, delays bedtime and disrupts sleep through both active use and the fear of missing out.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample was not randomly selected, limiting the transferability of the results to other populations. Data collection was limited to a single open-ended question answered in ten minutes, which may have restricted the depth of the responses. The study relied on self-reported perceptions of sleep difficulties, which may not align with clinical diagnoses of sleep disorders.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest. Funding was provided by Sparbanksstiftelsen Sjuhärad, Ebba Danelius Stiftelse, Irisstipendiet, and Stiftelsen Tornspiran.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume these reasons apply to all adolescents with sleep difficulties. The study only included those who self-reported sleeping problems, and the findings reflect perceptions rather than clinically diagnosed sleep disorders.