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Cited by 289Sleep and related disordersCircadian rhythm and melatoninSleep and Work-Related Fatigue

The impact of school daily schedule on adolescent sleep

Hansen, Martha, Janssen, Imke, Schiff, Adam, Zee, Phyllis C., Dubocovich, Margarita L.·2005·PEDIATRICS
DOI 10.1542/peds.2004-1649
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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study was initiated to examine the impact of starting school on adolescent sleep, to compare weekday and weekend sleep times, and to attempt to normalize the timing of the circadian sleep/wake cycle by administering bright light in the morning. This was a collaborative project involving high school students and their parents, as well as high school and university faculty members, for the purpose of contributing information to the scientific community while educating students about research processes and their own sleep/wake cycles and patterns. METHODS: Sixty incoming high school seniors kept sleep/wake diaries beginning in August and continuing through 2 weeks after the start of school in September. Sleep diaries were also kept for 1 month in November and 1 month in February. Early-morning light treatments were given to 19 students in the last 2 weeks of November and the last 2 weeks of February. Neuropsychologic performance was measured with computer-administered tests. Paper-and-pencil tests were used for assessment of mood and vigor. A testing period consisted of 2 consecutive days at the beginning and end of November and at the beginning and end of February. Tests were given 3 times per day, ie, in the morning before school (6:30-8:00 AM), during midday lunch periods (11:30 AM to 1:00 PM), and in the afternoon (3:00-4:30 PM), on each of the test days. RESULTS: Adolescents lost as much as 120 minutes of sleep per night during the week after the start of school, and weekend sleep time was also significantly longer (approximately 30 minutes) than that seen before the start of school (August). No significant differences were found between weekday sleep in the summer and weekend sleep during the school year. Early-morning light treatments did not modify total minutes of sleep per night, mood, or computer-administered vigilance test results. All students performed better in the afternoon than in the morning. Students in early morning classes reported being wearier, being less alert, and having to expend greater effort. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrated that current high school start times contribute to sleep deprivation among adolescents. Consistent with a delay in circadian sleep phase, students performed better later in the day than in the early morning. However, exposure to bright light in the morning did not change the sleep/wake cycle or improve daytime performance during weekdays. Both short-term and long-term strategies that address the epidemic of sleep deprivation among adolescents will be necessary to improve health and maximize school performance.

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Crossref · 10.1542/peds.2004-1649

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  • Adolescents are faced with school schedules that sharply conflict with their predisposed timing, forcing them to adopt schedules that are too early during the school week, resulting in difficulty falling asleep, curtailed sleep duration, and daytime fatigue.

    “Instead, adolescents are faced with school schedules that sharply conflict with their pre-disposed timing (Hansen, Janssen, Schiff, Zee, & Dubocovich, 2005). Consequently, adolescents are forced to adopt schedules that are too early during the school week, resulting in difficulty falling asleep at night, curtailed sleep duration, and daytime fatigue.”

    From Sleep and circadian contributions to adolescent alcohol use disorder (2015) · cites this paper as Hansen et al., 2005

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Authors
Hansen, M., Janssen, I., Schiff, A., Zee, P. C., & Dubocovich, M. L.
Affiliations
  • Science Department, Evanston Township High School, Evanston, Illinois; Departments of
  • Neurology
  • Northwestern University (US)
ORCID
Venue
PEDIATRICS
Publisher
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Published
2005-06-01
Volume
115
Issue
6
Pages
1555-1561
ISSN
  • 0031-4005 (ISSN-L)
  • 1098-4275
DOI
10.1542/peds.2004-1649
OpenAlex
W2136566387
Cited by
289
References
28
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 25 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 29 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 16
FWCI
14.22
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • PEDIATRICS (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Northwestern University
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (KO7 HL0389)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
Keywords
adolescent sleep, school start time, sleep deprivation, circadian rhythm, bright light therapy, morning light exposure, circadian phase delay, daytime performance, high school students
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Affect, Appointments and Schedules, Arousal, Circadian Rhythm, Female, Humans, Illinois, Life Style, Male, Medical Records, Phototherapy, Psychomotor Performance, Schools, Seasons, Sleep, Sleep Deprivation, Students, Time Factors

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