Device-measured sleep onset and duration in the development of depressive symptoms in adolescence
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background
Sleep deprivation in adolescence is increasing in prevalence and may be linked to subsequent depression. Findings regarding associations between sleep duration, sleep onset time, and the development of depressive symptoms over time in adolescents are mixed, and rely on subjective measures of sleep.
Methods
Sleep onset and duration were assessed using a combined heart rate monitor and accelerometer and self-report in 688 participants from the ROOTS study at age 15. Participants reported depressive symptoms at ages 14.5, 16, and 17.5, using the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire. Latent growth curve modelling was used to model development of depressive symptoms and test associations with baseline sleep onset and duration.
Results
Cross-sectionally, falling asleep later and shorter sleep duration were both associated with higher depressive symptoms in males and females, using both device-measured and self-reported sleep. There were no longitudinal associations between baseline sleep duration and change in depressive symptoms. A later sleep onset-time was associated with a decrease in depressive symptoms over time, in females only, using device-measured sleep only.
Limitations
The current sample was more economically advantaged and ethnically white than the UK average, and with lower MFQ symptoms than the original cohort, which may reduce generalisability.
Conclusions
Adolescents who fall asleep later or sleep less have higher levels of depressive symptoms cross-sectionally, but do not show increases in depressive symptoms over time. Interventions targeting sleep onset and duration in adolescence may improve mental health in the short-term but the possibility of reverse causality should be explored further.
Sleep deprivation in adolescence is increasing in prevalence and may be linked to subsequent depression. Findings regarding associations between sleep duration, sleep onset time, and the development of depressive symptoms over time in adolescents are mixed, and rely on subjective measures of sleep.
Methods
Sleep onset and duration were assessed using a combined heart rate monitor and accelerometer and self-report in 688 participants from the ROOTS study at age 15. Participants reported depressive symptoms at ages 14.5, 16, and 17.5, using the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire. Latent growth curve modelling was used to model development of depressive symptoms and test associations with baseline sleep onset and duration.
Results
Cross-sectionally, falling asleep later and shorter sleep duration were both associated with higher depressive symptoms in males and females, using both device-measured and self-reported sleep. There were no longitudinal associations between baseline sleep duration and change in depressive symptoms. A later sleep onset-time was associated with a decrease in depressive symptoms over time, in females only, using device-measured sleep only.
Limitations
The current sample was more economically advantaged and ethnically white than the UK average, and with lower MFQ symptoms than the original cohort, which may reduce generalisability.
Conclusions
Adolescents who fall asleep later or sleep less have higher levels of depressive symptoms cross-sectionally, but do not show increases in depressive symptoms over time. Interventions targeting sleep onset and duration in adolescence may improve mental health in the short-term but the possibility of reverse causality should be explored further.
Date Issued
2022-08-01
Date Acceptance
2022-05-08
Citation
Journal of Affective Disorders, 2022, 310, pp.396-403
ISSN
0165-0327
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
396
End Page
403
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Affective Disorders
Volume
310
Copyright Statement
© 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35569606
PII: S0165-0327(22)00559-6
Subjects
Actigraphy
Adolescence
ASSOCIATIONS
CHILD
Clinical Neurology
COHORT
Depression
HABITS
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Longitudinal
LONGITUDINAL SURVEY
Neurosciences & Neurology
Psychiatry
ROOTS
Science & Technology
Sleep
SOCIAL JETLAG
TIME
VALIDITY
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
Netherlands
Date Publish Online
2022-05-13