Poor Sleep Quality Among Adolescents With ASD Is Associated With Depressive Symptoms, Problem Behaviors, and Conflicted Family Relationships. (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Phung, Janice N.; Abdullah, Maryam M.; Goldberg, Wendy A.
• Is Part Of: Focus on autism and other developmental disabilities. Volume 34:Number 3(2019:Sep.)
• Page Start: 173
• Page End: 182
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: autism spectrum disorder -- adolescents -- sleep quality -- daytime sleepiness -- family relationship quality; Autism in children -- Periodicals; Autistic children -- Education -- Periodicals; Autism -- Periodicals; Developmental disabilities -- Periodicals; 616.8982
• DOI: 10.1177/1088357618794916
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1088-3576

Abstract

To better understand correlates of sleep issues for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), we conducted two related studies of sleep quality in association with adolescent well-being and family relationships. In Study 1, 28 adolescents with ASD, 27 typically developing (TD) adolescents, and their mothers, participated. Mothers and adolescents independently completed questionnaires about sleep and adolescent functioning. In Study 2, 20 adolescents with ASD and their mothers participated, and actigraphy was used to measure sleep quality. Regression results from Study 1 indicated more daytime sleepiness was associated with more depressive symptoms and more discordant mother–adolescent relationships in the ASD sample. More sleep–wake problems were associated with more depressive symptoms in TD adolescents. In Study 2, more time asleep and poorer sleep efficiency were associated with more depressive symptoms and discordant sibling relationships. These findings suggest that helping adolescents with ASD with their sleep issues may confer benefits in other parts of their lives.