Abstract
Study ObjectivesSleep is essential to young people’s wellbeing, yet may be constricted by the adolescent delayed sleep phase coupled with school start times. COVID-19 restrictions caused major disruptions to everyday routines, including partial school closures. We set out to understand changes in students’ self-reported sleep quality, and associations with mental wellbeing and interpersonal functioning, during these restrictions.MethodsThe OxWell school survey—a cross-sectional online survey—collected data from 18 642 children and adolescents (aged 8–19 years, 60% female, school year 4–13) from 230 schools in southern England, in June–July 2020. Participants completed self-report measures of the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on sleep quality, happiness, and social relationships. Sleep timing was compared with data collected from 4222 young people in 2019.ResultsFemales and older adolescents were more likely to report deteriorations in sleep during the national lockdown. Regression analysis revealed that changes in happiness (β = .34) and how well students were getting on with others in their household (β = .07) predicted change in sleep quality. Students’ bedtimes and wake times were later, and sleep duration was longer in 2020 compared to the 2019 survey. Secondary school students reported the greatest differences, especially later wake times.ConclusionsDuring COVID-19 restrictions, sleep patterns consistent with adolescent delayed sleep phase were observed, with longer sleep times for secondary school students in particular. Perceived deteriorations in sleep quality were associated with reductions in happiness and interpersonal functioning, highlighting the importance of including sleep measures in adolescent wellbeing research.
Highlights
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, government restrictions were first imposed in the UK from March 2020
Perceived deteriorations in sleep quality were associated with reductions in happiness and interpersonal functioning, highlighting the importance of including sleep measures in adolescent wellbeing research
Self-perceived change in sleep quality was significantly associated with gender, with a pattern of deteriorated sleep for females and improved sleep for males: 44% of females experienced worse sleep compared with 31% of males, while 28% of females and 40% of males experienced better sleep (p < .001)
Summary
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, government restrictions were first imposed in the UK from March 2020. This included closing schools, except for the children of essential workers or those classed as “vulnerable”. These restrictions had the potential to impact young people’s wellbeing including their sleep and mental health. [1] sleep duration has been observed to improve from pre-schoolers through to adolescents.[2,3,4,5] We set out to determine the self-perceived changes in sleep quality and associations with mental wellbeing and interpersonal functioning in a large survey in England during these restrictions. A range of adverse health outcomes during the periods of school lockdown, including reduced physical activity and increased depression, have been noted in children. [1] sleep duration has been observed to improve from pre-schoolers through to adolescents.[2,3,4,5] We set out to determine the self-perceived changes in sleep quality and associations with mental wellbeing and interpersonal functioning in a large survey in England during these restrictions.
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