Sleepiness in Canadian Adolescents
Author Information
Author(s): Gibson Edward S, Powles AC Peter, Thabane Lehana, O'Brien Susan, Molnar Danielle Sirriani, Trajanovic Nik, Ogilvie Robert, Shapiro Colin, Yan Mi, Chilcott-Tanser Lisa
Primary Institution: McMaster University
Hypothesis
Adolescents, for a variety of reasons, are not getting adequate sleep, which affects their performance in curricular and extracurricular activities.
Conclusion
Sleep deprivation and excessive daytime sleepiness were common in Ontario high school students and were associated with decreased academic achievement and extracurricular activity.
Supporting Evidence
- 70% of students had less than 8.5 hours of weeknight sleep.
- 23% of students felt their grades had dropped because of sleepiness.
- 58-68% of students reported being 'really sleepy' between 8 and 10 A.M.
- Five factors were statistically significantly associated with excessive daytime sleepiness.
- Students with excessive daytime sleepiness reported lower academic performance.
Takeaway
Many high school students in Ontario are really sleepy during the day because they don't get enough sleep at night, which makes it hard for them to do well in school and activities.
Methodology
A cross-sectional survey of high school students using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to measure sleepiness and assess performance.
Potential Biases
Potential responder bias due to reliance on anonymous self-completed questionnaires.
Limitations
The study relied on self-reported data, which may be subject to responder bias, and there was no clear differentiation between causes of sleepiness.
Participant Demographics
Students from Hamilton Wentworth and Grand Erie District School Boards in Ontario, with a mix of genders.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI reported for various factors
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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