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Cited by 52Circadian rhythm and melatoninSleep and related disordersSleep and Work-Related Fatigue

Evening daylight may cause adolescents to sleep less in spring than in winter

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Figueiro, Mariana G., Rea, Mark S.·2010·Chronobiology International
DOI 10.3109/07420528.2010.487965PMC PMC3349220
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Abstract

Sleep restriction commonly experienced by adolescents can stem from a slower increase in sleep pressure by the homeostatic processes and from phase delays of the circadian system. With regard to the latter potential cause, the authors hypothesized that because there is more natural evening light during the spring than winter, a sample of adolescent students would be more phase delayed in spring than in winter, would have later sleep onset times, and because of fixed school schedules would have shorter sleep durations. Sixteen eighth-grade subjects were recruited for the study. The authors collected sleep logs and saliva samples to determine their dim light melatonin onset (DLMO), a well-established circadian marker. Actual circadian light exposures experienced by a subset of 12 subjects over the course of 7 days in winter and in spring using a personal, head-worn, circadian light measurement device are also reported here. Results showed that this sample of adolescents was exposed to significantly more circadian light in spring than in winter, especially during the evening hours when light exposure would likely delay circadian phase. Consistent with the light data, DLMO and sleep onset times were significantly more delayed, and sleep durations were significantly shorter in spring than in winter. The present ecological study of light, circadian phase, and self-reported sleep suggests that greater access to evening daylight in the spring may lead to sleep restriction in adolescents while attending school. Therefore, lighting schemes that reduce evening light in the spring may encourage longer sleep times in adolescents.

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  • During the transition from winter to spring, adolescents became more evening type, and this change in chronotype correlated with increased light exposure in the evening but not the morning.

    “Another study found that during the transition from winter to spring, adolescents became more evening type, and this change in chronotype correlated with increased light exposure in the evening but not the morning [55].”

    From The neuroendocrine control of the circadian system: Adolescent chronotype (2012) · cites this paper as [55]

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  1. Refinetti R Circadian Physiology 2006 Boca Raton, London, New York CRC Taylor & Francis

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Authors
Figueiro, M. G., & Rea, M. S.
Affiliations
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (US)
Corresponding author
Figueiro, Mariana G.
ORCID
Venue
Chronobiology International
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2010-07
Volume
27
Issue
6
Pages
1242-1258
ISSN
  • 0742-0528 (ISSN-L)
  • 1525-6073
DOI
10.3109/07420528.2010.487965
PMC
PMC3349220
OpenAlex
W2015819947
Cited by
52
References
36
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 6
FWCI
2.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Chronobiology International (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • Office of Naval Research
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (U01DA023822)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
Keywords
adolescent sleep, sleep restriction, circadian phase delay, seasonal variation, dim light melatonin onset, sleep latency, sleep duration, school schedule
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Circadian Rhythm, Female, Humans, Light, Male, Melatonin, Saliva, Seasons, Sleep, Photoperiod

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