Sleeping through a Lockdown: How Adolescents and Young Adults Struggle with Lifestyle and Sleep Habits Upheaval during a Pandemic

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between chronotype, lifestyle habits during the pandemic, and changes in sleep timing during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in youth. Method An online survey of adolescents and young adults (N = 449) was conducted in June 2020. Multivariate hierarchical regressions assessed the contribution of chronotype and changes in lifestyle habits to sleep timing during the COVID-19 pandemic in two age groups (12 to 17 years old and 18 to 25 years old). Results Chronotype was a significant predictor of changes in sleep habits during the pandemic in both age groups. In adolescents, electronic device usage during the pandemic was a significant predictor of bedtimes and wake times on weekdays, and caffeine during the pandemic was a predictor of weekday wake times. The number of hours worked during the pandemic was a significant predictor of weekday wake times in both age groups. In young adults, cannabis consumption during the pandemic was a predictor of weekend bedtimes. A later chronotype, along with higher usage of electronic devices, fewer hours worked, as well as higher caffeine and cannabis consumption during the pandemic were associated with delayed sleep timing during the pandemic in youth. Conclusion These results highlight the importance of assessing lifestyle habits when exploring changes in sleep habits in youth.