engleski

Sleep patterns and use of electronic devices in adolescents from two perspectives: a pilot study

Parental control over their pubertal children’s bedtime progressively decreases, but assistance in waking up during school week increases. Studies have shown that parental involvement in their adolescent children bedtime routines supports their health and wellbeing. Parents easily detect prominent sleep problems in their adolescent children but tend to idealise their sleep patterns and use of electronic devices. The aim of this pilot study was to examine compatibility of adolescents’ and parents’ assessments of sleep patterns and use of electronic devices of adolescents. Data has been collected individually from a convenience sample of 21 pairs of parents (37-52 years ; 95% women) and adolescents (12-18 years, 58% girls). Questionnaire comprised sociodemographic questions answered by parents, and questions on academic achievement, health, sleep patterns and use of electronic devices of adolescents over past month, answered by one parent and the adolescent. The results indicate high agreement in assessments of health, academic achievement and sleep patterns during school week with morning schedule. On school week with afternoon schedule and weekends the agreement was lower. Both parents and adolescents estimated use of smartphones in 100% of cases during daytime and around bedtime. Parents tend to underestimate their children’s use of desktop computers and overestimate the use of other portable devices during daytime. They also underestimate the use of electronic devices around bedtime when compared to the adolescents’ assessments. Encouraging parental involvement in their adolescent children habits and educating them about sleep hygiene principles, sleep needs and patterns of their adolescent children remains an important task.

sleep, electronic devices, adolescents, parents, health

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