A new study from Michigan State University found that a good night's sleep is good for teenagers. In addition to staying awake in class, appropriate sleep times can also help teens navigate difficult social situations. Lead author Wang's research is the first to identify the timing at which this factor helps adolescents cope with stress.
A good night's sleep combats stress factors at school
The study, which focused on ninth-grade students, found that adequate sleep allowed students to better cope with discrimination and challenges related to ethnic or racial bias. It also helps them solve problems more effectively and seek support from peers when they face difficulties.
“The results of this study have important implications,” said Yijie Wang. She is an assistant professor of human development and family studies at MSU. “Understanding how good sleep helps adolescents cope with social challenges may therefore explain how promoting sleep can improve teenagers’ adjustment during secondary school and beyond.”
Compared to adults and children, students are at particular risk for inadequate sleep due to early school schedules, busy schedules, and increased social pressures. The transition to high school also brings more diversity into their social environment and relationships.
With this study, Wang wanted to find out what impact good sleep has on coping with discrimination. They found that when a teenager sleeps well, they are better able to cope with harsh experiences.
Study results
“This study did not address sleep as a result of discrimination,” Wang said. “However, our team has found the impact of discrimination on same-day sleep in other studies. These results showed that adolescents slept less on days when they faced ethnic or racial discrimination. It also took them longer to actually fall asleep.” Study participants wore an actigraphy watch every day for two weeks that tracked their physical activity at one-minute intervals. In this way the watch could determine its state. Students were also asked to complete a survey every day before bed. In this they reported on their experiences during the day and how they reacted to the stress and their psychological well-being.
A surprising finding in the study was that peers, not parents, were the immediate source of support. This helped the young people deal with discrimination. “Compared to parents, adolescents’ peers are likely to witness and experience ethnic or racial discrimination on a daily basis. As such, they are more likely to provide immediate support and comfort to young people when discrimination occurs,” says the researcher. Nevertheless, parents play an important role in coping with social situations. Besides theThe recommended eight hours is the quality of sleepequally important.
This includes a regular bedtimeRestriction of media useand providing a quiet, less crowded sleeping environment. While promoting good sleep habits in teens can be a struggle, Wang said the benefits of a routine help them cope with the challenges of life in school and beyond. “The beneficial effects of sleep are so consistent,” Wang said of theStudy. “It reduces the number of adolescents ruminating, promotes problem-solving and helps them better seek support from their peers.”
