A recent Canadian study concluded that adolescents with poor sleep quality are more likely to become depressed in adulthood. According to researchers, recurrent sleep disturbance is one of the underlying causes of depression.
"Adults with depression often experience their first depressive symptoms in early adolescence" said Nafissa Ismail, from the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa (Canada).
In their study published in the journal Behavioral Brain Research on November 13, 2020, the researchers say they have carried out conclusive experiments. These involved no less than 80 adolescent and adult mice (40 males and 40 females). The objective? See if recurrent lack of sleep were able to affect the stress response. According to the results, male and female adolescent mice had significantly more depressive behavior than adult mice with better sleep. Moreover, these results appeared after only seven days sleep disturbance.
For the study leaders, the results indicate that these significant sleep delays during adolescence may increase the risk of depression in adults, regardless of gender. In addition, these consequences affect adults who are also subject to sleep problems much less. However, the researchers also point out that adolescent girls are more affected. The latter are subject to higher exposure to stress , which can potentially increase the risk of developing mood disorders. The adolescent mice indeed showed "greater release of stress hormones and greater activation of stress-sensitive brain cells".
This study suggests that better consideration of the impact of poor sleep quality in adolescents is necessary. In addition, the current health crisis punctuated by episodes of confinement represents a period of risk at this level. Indeed, the pressure linked to the schedules to be respected is weaker than usual. This concerns, for example, limited social interactions, distance learning and increased time spent in front of screens.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is a common mental disorder, affecting more than 264 million people in the world. This is the leading cause of disability in the world, which can lead – in the most serious cases – to suicide. Yet every year, 800,000 people die this way, making it the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds.
