EPIDEMIOLOGIC-STUDY OF SLEEP QUALITY AND TROUBLES IN FRENCH SECONDARY-SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS

Background: The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence and correlates of sleep problems in adolescents. Methods: A total of 763 s tudents chosen at random among the 15 secondary schools of a French de partement were given a self-report questionnaire. Results: As much as 40.8% reported at least one of the five sleep disturbances we studied including difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep, a need for m ore sleep, early awakenings, and chronic sleeping pill intake. These s leep problems were highly related to various personal and family disor ders. Discriminant analysis for categorical data pointed to a consiste nt but not significant descriptive profile accounting for sleep proble ms in these students. Suicide, weight concerns, and stimulant abuse we re the most informative personal correlates as parts of this profile. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the complaint of poor sleep sh ould be regarded with special care in adolescents as a possibly meanin gful and sensitive sign of severe family or personal disruption. (C) S ociety for Adolescent Medicine, 1997.