The sleep environment and its association with externalizing behaviors in a sample of low‐income adolescents

Abstract

This study examined the sleep environment and its association with externalizing problems in adolescents attending an alternative high school. Participants included 114 students (56% female, 91% Black, mean age = 18.03, standard deviation [SD] = 1.49) from an alternative high school in a southeastern city. Most participants reported sleeping in a bed (83%) and at their house (72%) for 7 nights in the past week. Participants reported an average of 2.34 (SD = 1.86) past‐week ambient sleep disruptions. Sleeping fewer nights in their own home and experiencing higher levels of ambient sleep disruptions were associated with delinquency engagement. Fewer nights sleeping in a bed and higher levels of ambient sleep disruptions were associated with a significant arrest history. The sleep environment is important to consider when assessing sleep problems, particularly among low‐income adolescents living in urban environments. This information may inform comprehensive interventions to address behavioral health concerns.

Sleep in an At Risk Adolescent Group: A Qualitative Exploration of the Perspectives, Experiences and Needs of Youth Who Have Been Excluded From Mainstream Education

“…Just as described by the young people interviewed here, quantitative research has found sleep environment factors to be related to poorer sleep for adolescents, including noise inside and outside of the home, 45 including for adolescents attending an alternative school. 63 In line with what the young people interviewed described, a large amount of technology use in the daytime and night time is typical for adolescents, and use of technology at night time is associated with poorer sleep and daytime functioning. [14][15][16]64,65 Mobile phone use and social networking engagement at night time have been associated with poorer wellbeing through the mediating variable of sleep disruption.…”

“…Just as described by the young people interviewed here, quantitative research has found sleep environment factors to be related to poorer sleep for adolescents, including noise inside and outside of the home, 45 including for adolescents attending an alternative school. 63 …”