The relationship between adolescents' sleep quality and academic expectations stress: Who is riskier?

Abstract

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between adolescents' academic expectations stress and sleep quality and who are at higher risk. Design and methods The study was a cross-sectional survey among adolescents aged 10–17 years in Bolu, Turkey. The average age of the adolescents in the study was 14.37 ± 2.19. The participants of this study were middle school (52.3%) and high school students (47.7%). The study was completed with a total of 1161 adolescents. Data were collected through data collection form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Academic Expectations Stress Inventory between March and May 2017. Results This study found that both sleep quality scores (7.27 ± 3.15) and stress scores related to academic expectations (32.13 ± 7.77) of high school students were significantly higher than that of middle school students, (5.69 ± 3.22;17.06 ± 5.65), p < 0.05. The stressful situations of the students regarding academic expectations and the age variable together showed a significant relationship on sleep quality (R² = 0.137, F (2, 1158) = 90.532), and it was observed that it caused a 13.7% change in the sleep quality score. Conclusion This study showed that adolescents are more likely to experience poor sleep quality and academic expectations stress as they get older. Practice Implications To prevent sleep problems and stress in adolescents, pediatric nurses should plan regularly health education starting from middle school.