Research view
Title: | Sleep problems among adolescents: is there a relation with deliberate self-harm and aggression? |
Author: | Youmna Sabri |
Abstract: |
Background
Adequate sleep during adolescence is important for healthy development and proper
daytime functioning. Sleep problems are commonly reported in adolescents, with an
estimated prevalence between 17 and 45%. Besides, adolescence period is usually
associated with various behavioral problems such as aggression and self-harm.
Aims
The aim of this study was to evaluate sleep habits and the presence of sleep
problems in an Egyptian adolescent sample. Moreover, this study aimed to examine
the presence of a relationship between sleep problems and the development
of aggression and self-harm among those adolescents.
Patients and methods
A total of 117 adolescents in the preparatory stage participated in this study. Three
self-report questionnaires were used, Child and Adolescent Sleep Checklist, the
Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory, and the Aggression Scale, for students for
assessment of sleep problems, deliberate self-harm (DSH), and aggression,
respectively, among those adolescents.
Results
A total of 117 adolescents, 51 (43.6%) male and 66 (56.4%) female, participated in
this study; their mean age was 13.85±0.81 years. Bedtime problems and daytime
problems are more common among adolescents, with higher scores (8.10±3.99
and 6.56±3.61, respectively). Of those, 36 (30.8%) adolescents had a score of 18 or
more, and so they were considered to have sleep problems.
The participated adolescents had score ranging from 3 to 38 in the Aggression
Scale, with a mean±SD of 12.36±8.32. A total of 24 (20.5%) adolescents had
engaged in self-harm according to the Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory.
Moreover, a significant positive correlation (P<0.001) was found between sleep
problems and both DSH and aggressive behaviors among those adolescents.
Conclusion
Bedtime problems and daytime problems were common among the participated
adolescents. Moreover, DSH and aggressive behaviors were reported.
This study provides evidence that there is a strong relationship between sleep
problems and both DSH and aggressive behaviors among those adolescents. Early
detection, diagnosis, and treatment of sleep problems and promoting sleep hygiene
will, undoubtedly, improve adolescents’ daily functioning and will have good impact
on controlling these annoying behavioral problems.
Keywords:
aggression, deliberate self-harm, sleep problems
|
Journal: | Egyptian Journal of Psychiatry 2017, 38:1–7 |
Text: | |
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