Inadequate sleep in teenagers

Inadequate sleep-in teenagers

The lack of sleep-in adolescents and teenagers is a rising issue, especially in recent years. The lack of sleep leads to multiple behavioral issues, especially in school and social life, thereby affecting their overall biological rhythm [1]. I had the opportunity to listen to Robert Morrison and his research, “An update on adolescent sleep: New evidence informing the perfect

storm model,” during a Neuroscience class, and I got to learn about the essential aspects and negative influences of inadequate sleep-in teenagers, as well as other external factors impacting it. This research models two important biological systems in teenagers, especially during their growing phase: homeostatic pressure and circadian rhythm. This study explains how lower sleep pressure accumulation affects how late teen stays awake, which, in turn, contributes to a phase delay in their biological cycle, pushing their alertness further into the night and disrupting their sleep consistency [2]. The study analyzes laboratory data, including slow-wave activity (SWA), melatonin levels, and phase response curves. Slow wave activity is a mathematical model that analyzes EEGs and their relationship to sleep pressure and sleep cycles. The internal clocks were traced through phase-response curves, in which adolescents were strictly given specific amounts of sleep to measure their memory and behavior. I found this very interesting; especially how biological maturation and external factors such as social constraints and school schedules contribute to sleep deprivation in adolescents. I think the contents of this research resonate with many people like me.

Beyond this, I was also interested in the demographics of sleep deprivation in students and how it impacts their behavior and mental issues.

Through this, I came across a news article and a study that depict the growing sleep crisis among Americans and how it's now a rising concern due to inadequate sleep. The article “A rising percentage of U.S. teens aren’t getting enough sleep” talks about the unique demographics of sleep loss and how it correlates with African American students. This stems from several factors, such as environmental issues (pollution, noise, and temperature), commuting, and family dynamics [3]. A second factor this article talks about is the behavioral stress due to poor sleep issues on their mental health and an increase in substance abuse. The inability to concentrate due to insufficient sleep hinders students' ability to process information, especially in environments like school.

In conclusion, I think both the study and the article address similar issues and highlight unique demographics where sleep loss is a significant concern. Both of these papers demonstrate how external factors contribute to unhealthy internal biological factors, disturbed sleep cycles, and contribute to mental issues and behavioral issues. Reading both of these articles makes me wonder how sleep loss can contribute to specific mental health issues like depression.

Citations

[1] Uccella, Sara et al. “Sleep Deprivation and Insomnia in Adolescence: Implications for Mental Health.” Brain sciences vol. 13,4 569. 28 Mar. 2023, doi:10.3390/brainsci13040569

[2] Crowley, Stephanie J et al. “An update on adolescent sleep: New evidence informing the perfect storm model.” Journal of adolescence vol. 67 (2018): 55-65. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2018.06.001

[3] Cunningham, Aimee. “A Rising Percentage of U.S. Teens Aren’t Getting Enough Sleep.” Science News, 2 Mar. 2026, www.sciencenews.org/article/teens-sleep-deprived-us-high-school.