Adolescents with later bedtimes and less sleep during childhood are more likely to have tried alcohol or marijuana by age 15, according to a recent study.
A proper sleep routine is vital for the overall health and development of children. Interestingly, sleep habits from childhood may also be associated with future substance use. A study led by Penn State researchers revealed that adolescents who went to bed later and slept fewer hours during their younger years were at a higher risk of consuming alcohol or experimenting with marijuana by age 15. The team’s research findings were published in Annals of Epidemiology.
“This research indicates there could be critical developmental ages when improving sleep might serve as an intervention point,” said Anne-Marie Chang, an associate professor of biobehavioral health at Penn State and the paper’s senior author. “Enhancing sleep in school-aged children could not only improve their sleep health but also reduce their engagement in risky behaviors like alcohol and drug use.”
The research team examined sleep patterns at various developmental stages within the same child cohort to determine any influence on later substance use, a topic that has received little attention in prior studies. They considered two key aspects of sleep health: total sleep duration and bedtime. They noted that if school-aged children go to bed later, it could hinder their overall sleep quality.
“Sleep is complex and crucial for children’s growth and development. Younger brains are more adaptable, and good sleep supports brain development,” explained David Reichenberger, co-lead author and doctoral graduate in biobehavioral health from Penn State at the time of this research. “Poor sleep can adversely affect physical health and decision-making, which could, in turn, lead to substance use.”
The study utilized data from 1,514 children involved in the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a diverse long-term research project tracking children in 20 American cities. Parents provided information on their child’s regular weekday bedtime when they were three, five, and nine years old, as well as their sleep duration at five and nine.
The team found a significant connection between childhood sleep patterns and later substance use. Teens with a later bedtime at age nine were 45% more likely to try alcohol by age 15 than their peers with earlier bedtimes. However, bedtimes at age five did not correlate with future alcohol use, nor did sleep duration at ages five or nine. Regarding marijuana, a later bedtime at age five led to a 26% increase in the likelihood of trying it by age 15, while sleeping an hour less at nine resulted in a 19% greater chance of marijuana experimentation.
The team also gathered data from adolescents at age 15, who reported their sleep duration, bedtime, and substance use. The findings showed that teens with later bedtimes had a 39% higher probability of drinking alcohol and a 34% increased chance of trying marijuana. Sleeping one less hour was linked to a 28% greater likelihood of ever trying alcohol, but it did not show a corresponding effect for marijuana use.
“Sleep habits closer to adolescence are critical in assessing future substance use risk. This developmental stage is marked by rapid change and maturation of the brain,” Reichenberger noted, adding that previous studies have indicated that shorter sleep and later bedtimes may increase impulsivity and impair decision-making, affecting choices regarding substance use.
The findings underscore the significant role of sleep in various aspects of long-term health and wellbeing. Researchers emphasized the importance of creating supportive sleep environments and setting appropriate bedtimes for school-aged children to promote healthy sleep habits.
“Investigating the link between sleep and substance use is essential, particularly in light of our ongoing struggles with addiction and substance abuse issues,” Chang stated. “This research area warrants further exploration, and sharing our findings with families and healthcare providers is vital.”
Other contributors from Penn State include Orfeu Buxton, the Elizabeth Fenton Susan Professor of Biobehavioral Health; Michael Russell, associate professor of biobehavioral health; Lindsay Master, data scientist; and Akshay Krishnan, an undergraduate student at the research time. Lauren Hale, a professor at Stony Brook University, also contributed to the study.
This work received funding from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and a coalition of private foundations.
