Sleep Deprivation and Insomnia in Adolescence: Implications for Mental Health

Sleep changes significantly throughout the human lifespan. Physiological modifications in sleep regulation, in common with many mammals (especially in the circadian rhythms), predispose adolescents to sleep loss until early adulthood. Adolescents are one-sixth of all human beings and are at high risk for mental diseases (particularly mood disorders) and self-injury. This has been attributed to the incredible number of changes occurring in a limited time window that encompasses rapid biological and psychosocial modifications, which predispose teens to at-risk behaviors. Adolescents' sleep patterns have been investigated as a biunivocal cause for potential damaging conditions, in which insufficient sleep may be both a cause and a consequence of mental health problems. The recent COVID-19 pandemic in particular has made a detrimental contribution to many adolescents' mental health and sleep quality. In this review, we aim to summarize the knowledge in the field and to explore implications for adolescents' (and future adults') mental and physical health, as well as to outline potential strategies of prevention.

Automated summary

Sleep patterns change significantly throughout the human lifespan. Adolescents are at high risk for mental health problems due to various physiological and psychosocial changes, including sleep disturbances. Insufficient sleep in adolescents is both a cause and consequence of mental health issues. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has further worsened the mental health and sleep quality of many adolescents. This review aims to summarize the existing knowledge in this field and explore the implications for adolescents' mental and physical health, as well as propose potential prevention strategies.