Insomnia, Sleepiness, and Depression in Adolescents Living in Residential Care Facilities

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to document sleep patterns and disturbances reported by youths temporarily living in residential care facilities. A secondary objective was to examine the relationships between sleep disturbances and mood and daytime sleepiness. A self-reported questionnaire on sleep patterns and habits assessing duration, frequency, and consequences of sleep difficulties, the Beck Depression Inventory-2, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale were administered to a sample of 66 adolescents. Results suggest a high rate of sleep disturbances in this sample, with 41% reporting insomnia symptoms and 21% meeting diagnostic criteria for an insomnia syndrome. Those with more severe insomnia syndrome showed more severe depressive symptoms and daytime consequences.

KEYWORDS:

• sleep
• sleep initiation and maintenance disorders
• depression
• sleepiness
• institutionalized adolescent
• residential treatment

This research was supported by a student scholarship from the Fonds de la Recherche en Santé du Québec (V. Moreau).