'Social jet lag' could contribute to teenage anxiety
Early school start times and sleeping in on weekends could contribute to anxiety in teenagers, a new study found.
A new study suggests that social jet lag, the discrepancy between weekday and weekend sleep schedules, may contribute to anxiety in teenagers. Researchers from the University of Southampton conducted a systematic review of 18 studies, combining the results of 12 studies involving over 230,000 participants. They found a consistent, albeit small, correlation between greater social jet lag and higher levels of anxiety in teens.
Lead author Dr. Hannah Ravenhall emphasizes the importance of maintaining consistent bedtimes and wake times throughout the week, even on weekends, to support adolescent well-being. The findings highlight the need to address the biological sleep changes that occur during puberty and consider altering school start times to better align with young people's natural sleep patterns.
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