Adolescentes e sono na era da pandemia de COVID-19: o que esperar?

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on adolescents’ sleep quality. METHODS: An anonymous online survey was conducted. Sociodemographic data and information about daily routine during and after lockdown were assessed. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: In total, 258 participants, most female (71.7%) with median 15.7 years, were included. The quality of sleep during confinement was considered to be the same (58.1%) for those who normally classify their sleep as good or very good, but it was considered worse (83.3%) for those with usual bad or very bad sleep. Students delayed bedtime and wake up time during lockdown. Sleep habits before bedtime were equivalent during and after lockdown; however, in the latter, an increase in the use of videogames was reported. During lockdown, adolescents woke up less times during the night and got up easier in the morning. Once lockdown ceased and a normal routine restarted, 44.2% of the adolescents felt more productive during the day and 55.4% less anxious. DISCUSSION: School closure and home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted adolescents sleep. During lockdown adolescents delayed bedtime and wake-up time, sleep quality was worse in those who reported previous poor sleep quality, there was an increase in screen time use before bed. Nonetheless, it was easier for most of those inquired to wake up in the morning and they reported feeling less tired throughout the day. This result shows that the confinement allowed young people to adjust to the physiological phase delay of adolescence, decreasing daytime sleepiness.

Keywords

• sleep
• adolescent
• covid-19