Sleep and mental wellbeing in young people : The role of electronic media use and school start times

Abstract

Research on the sleep of young people (12-24 years) has examined determinants and consequences of poor sleep. Poor mental health and wellbeing is one consequence that has received sustained empirical focus. In recent years, the rapid uptake of electronic and social media use has been regarded as an important risk factor for poor sleep. Avenues for improving sleep have focused on targeting these behaviours, but also addressing systemic factors such as school start times. This dissertation explores the relationships between these variables, and focusses on understanding how sleep problems within this population can be improved. Chapter 1 introduces the topic and provides an overview of the literature. Chapter 2 discusses the theoretical underpinnings, by reviewing Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory of human development and the two-process model of sleep. Developmental changes occurring in sleep during adolescence are explored, and how electronic media use and school start times impact sleep during this time are discussed. Chapter 3 presents the research questions. Chapter 4 examines a 25-minute school-based intervention aimed at improving sleep of adolescents by addressing sleep hygiene behaviours of bedtime electronic media use. Though bedtime electronic media use decreased for those in the Intervention Group, it did not reflect in changes in sleep or wellbeing. Chapter 5 explores the temporal links between bedtime social media use, sleep and affective wellbeing in young adults, by using an experience sampling methodology. Bedtime media use did not predict sleep the same night or affective wellbeing the following day for healthy participants. Chapter 6 evaluates the impact of a policy-level decision of delaying school start times for all public schools in the Swiss city of Basel, on the sleep duration and mental wellbeing of adolescents. The 20-minute delay did not lead to long-term improvements in sleep or wellbeing. Chapter 7 presents the overall findings, implications and avenues for future research, as well as a critical evaluation of the studies