Bedtime screen use behaviors and sleep outcomes: Findings from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine associations between bedtime screen time behaviors and sleep outcomes in a national study of early adolescents. METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional data from 10,280 early adolescents aged 10-14 (48.8% female) in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (Year 2, 2018-2020). Regression analyses examined the association between self-reported bedtime screen use and self- and caregiver-reported sleep measures, including sleep disturbance symptoms, controlling for sex, race/ethnicity, household income, parent education, depression, data collection period (pre- vs. during COVID-19 pandemic), and study site. RESULTS: Overall, 16% of adolescents had at least some trouble falling or staying asleep in the past 2 weeks and 28% had overall sleep disturbance, based on caregiver reports. Adolescents who had a television or an Internet-connected electronic device in the bedroom had a greater risk of having trouble falling or staying asleep (adjusted risk ratio 1.27, 95% CI 1.12-1.44) and overall sleep disturbance (adjusted risk ratio 1.15, 95% CI 1.06-1.25). Adolescents who left their phone ringer activated overnight had more trouble falling/staying asleep and greater overall sleep disturbance compared to those who turned off their cell phones at bedtime. Streaming movies, playing video games, listening to music, talking/texting on the phone, and using social media or chat rooms were all associated with trouble falling/staying asleep and sleep disturbance. CONCLUSIONS: Several bedtime screen use behaviors are associated with sleep disturbances in early adolescents. The study's findings can inform guidance for specific bedtime screen behaviors among early adolescents.

Sexual Orientation Disparities in Early Adolescent Sleep: Findings from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine associations between sexual minority status (e.g., gay or bisexual) and sleep problems in a demographically diverse, national sample of U.S. early adolescents. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (Year 2, 2018-2020) to estimate associations between sexual orientation and sleep problems or disturbance, adjusting for confounders and testing potential mediators (depressive problems, stress problems, family conflict, and parental monitoring). Results: In a sample of 8563 adolescents 10- to 14-years-old, 4.4% identified as sexual minority individuals. Sexual minority status was associated with self-reported trouble falling or staying asleep (risk ratio [RR] = 2.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.88-2.68) and caregiver-reported sleep disturbance (RR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.29-1.75). The association between sexual minority status and trouble falling or staying asleep was partially mediated by greater depressive problems, more family conflict, and less parental monitoring, whereas the association between sexual minority status and caregiver-reported sleep disturbance was partially mediated by greater depressive problems, higher stress, and greater family conflict. Conclusions: Our results indicate that sexual minority status may be linked to sleep disturbance in early adolescence. Depressive problems, stress, family conflict, and less parental monitoring partially mediate disparities in sleep health for sexual minority youth. Future research could test interventions to promote family and caregiver acceptance and mental health support for sexual minority youth to improve their sleep and other health outcomes.

Cyberbullying and Sleep Disturbance Among Early Adolescents in the U.S.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between cyberbullying (victimization and perpetration) and sleep disturbance among a demographically diverse sample of 10-14-year-old early adolescents. METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (Year 2, 2018-2020) of early adolescents (10-14 years) in the US. Modified Poisson regression analyses examined the association between cyberbullying and self-reported and caregiver-reported sleep disturbance measures. RESULTS: In a sample of 9,443 adolescents (mean age 12.0 years, 47.9% female, 47.8% white), 5.1% reported cyberbullying victimization, and 0.5% reported cyberbullying perpetration in the past 12 months. Cyberbullying victimization in the past 12 months was associated with adolescent-reported trouble falling/staying asleep (risk ratio [RR] 1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.57, 2.21) and caregiver-reported overall sleep disturbance of the adolescent (RR: 1.16 95% CI 1.00, 1.33), in models adjusting for sociodemographic factors and screen time. Cyberbullying perpetration in the past 12 months was associated with trouble falling/staying asleep (RR 1.95, 95% CI 1.21, 3.15) and caregiver-reported overall sleep disturbance of the adolescent (RR: 1.49, 95% CI 1.00, 2.22). CONCLUSIONS: Cyberbullying victimization and perpetration are associated with sleep disturbance in early adolescence. Digital media education and counseling for adolescents, parents, teachers, and clinicians could focus on guidance to prevent cyberbullying and support healthy sleep behavior for early adolescents.