Impact of School-Based Sleep Programs on Adolescent Well-Being

Sleep is a vital pillar of good health, especially for adolescents undergoing significant biological and social changes.  

Existing research demonstrates a clear correlation between insufficient sleep and adverse health consequences, ranging from physical health issues to mental well-being challenges. From drowsiness and fatigue to depression and poor academic performance, the consequences of sleep deprivation in adolescents are far-reaching. Yet, sleep deprivation among adolescents is prevalent, affecting overall well-being, academic performance, and health outcomes. To address this, school-based sleep promotion programs have gained traction as a potential solution. However, their efficacy remains underexplored.

Sleep education programs such as Teensleep  have been implemented to bolster adolescents' understanding of sleep, promote healthy sleep habits, and potentially improve overall sleep quality. While some studies indicated enhanced sleep knowledge post-intervention, others didn't exhibit significant changes in sleep patterns or daytime sleepiness.

A systematic review is underway which aims to examine the impact of school-based sleep promotion programs on adolescents' sleep outcomes. These programs, designed to enhance sleep knowledge, habits, and quality, serve as proactive measures to counteract the negative effects of inadequate sleep on various facets of teenagers' lives.

By synthesising the latest research, this review seeks to fill the gaps left by previous systematic reviews, examining the effectiveness of school-based sleep promotion programs on adolescents' sleep outcomes comprehensively.

Given the lack of updated and comprehensive systematic reviews, this upcoming review holds promise in providing insights into the effectiveness of these programs. Ultimately, the findings could guide educators, health professionals, and policymakers in designing and implementing more impactful and evidence-based sleep promotion interventions in schools, thereby promoting better sleep habits and improved well-being among adolescents.

The systematic review protocol is available in the December 2023 issue of JBI Evidence Synthesis:

Effectiveness of school-based sleep promotion programs for adolescents: a systematic review protocol

Duque, Filipa Margarida; Santos, Diana; Pinto, Daniela; da Silva Rêgo, Anderson; Vidinha, Telma; Cardoso, Daniela; Filipa Cardoso, Ana; Veríssimo, Cristina; Rodrigues, Rogério  

JBI Evidence Synthesis. 21(12):2422-2428, December 2023.