Changes of adolescent sleep patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic

Author(s)

Mariana Otero Xavier ^[1] ; Jessica Mayumi Maruyama ; Iná S. Santos ^[3] ; Luciana Tovo-Rodrigues ^[4] ; Aluísio J. D. Barros ^[5] ; Alicia Matijasevich ^[6]

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina. Departamento de Medicina Preventiva - Brasil

^[3] Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Faculdade de Medicina. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia - Brasil

^[4] Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências do Desenvolvimento Humano - Brasil

^[5] Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Faculdade de Medicina. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia - Brasil

^[6] Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina. Departamento de Medicina Preventiva - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Revista de Saúde Pública; v. 58, 2024-07-05.

Abstract

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE The COVID-19 pandemic has raised numerous concerns regarding its effects on individuals’ health and lifestyle. We aim to analyze potential changes in adolescent sleep patterns from before and during the pandemic and identify specific predictors of changes. METHODS A subgroup of adolescents from a population-based birth cohort from Pelotas, Brazil, was assessed pre-pandemic (T1, November-2019 to March-2020) and peri-pandemic (T2, August-2021 to December-2021) in in-person interviews (n = 1,949). Sleep parameters, including sleep duration and latency time on workdays and free days, as well as social jetlag (SJL), were assessed using the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire (MCTQ). Socio-demographic, pre-pandemic, and pandemic-related predictors were analyzed. Changes in sleep parameters from T1 to T2 were estimated by multivariate latent change score modeling. RESULTS The latent change factor shows a significant mean increase in workday sleep duration (M = 0.334, p < 0.001), workday sleep latency (M = 0.029, p = 0.002), and free day sleep latency (M = 0.021, p = 0.034), and a decreased in SJL (M = −0.758, p < 0.001) during the pandemic. Female adolescents presented higher increases in workday sleep duration. Adolescents who adopted a stricter social distancing level during the pandemic presented greater increases in workday sleep duration and smaller reductions in SJL. Self-evaluated insomnia during the pandemic predicted lower increases in workday and free day sleep duration and higher increases in workday and free day sleep latency. CONCLUSION The COVID-19 outbreak brought certain advantages regarding increased sleep duration and reduced SJL. However, the observed increase in sleep latency and the influence of self-reported insomnia could be related to psychological distress inherent to the pandemic. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/22723-5 - Repercussion of maternal depression on children's socioemotional competences in early adolescence: 2004 Pelotas birth cohort
• Grantee: Jessica Mayumi Maruyama
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 20/07730-8 - Impact of social distancing measures in the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of adolescents belonging to a birth cohort
• Grantee: Alicia Matijasevich Manitto
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/13864-6 - Mental disorders, substance use and executive functions in early adolescence in a birth cohort
• Grantee: Alicia Matijasevich Manitto
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants