Exploring the influence of social relationships on adolescents' multiple sleep problems via a school-based China education panel survey: the moderating role of depressive emotion.

Abstract

Background: Poor adolescent sleep health is a significant public health issue worldwide. In particular, multiple sleep problems disturb the lives of adolescents. It is urgent to identify the key factors (e.g., parent‒child relationships, peer relationships, and teacher‒student relationships) and influential moderators (e.g., depressive emotions) that contribute to adolescent sleep problems.

Methods: Data were derived from the China Education Panel Survey (CEPS) and collected through self-reported questionnaires. A total of 7405 students (3818 boys and 3587 girls) born between 2000 and 2001 were followed from grade 7 through grade 8. Logistic regression was applied to explore the effects of the independent variables and moderating variable on students' sleep problems.

Results: Remaining fatigued after waking up (17.97%), dreaminess (14.21%) and sleep fragmentation (13.07%) were the three most common sleep problems among the students. Peer relationships, teacher praise, and depressive emotions were related to adolescents' sleep problems (all p < 0.05). Notably, depressive emotion served as an influential moderator in the relationship between social relationships and sleep problems among students, exhibiting simultaneous and lasting effects (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Reducing adolescents' sleep problems is necessary, and enhancing adolescents' positive social relationships and reducing their depressive emotions should receive increased attention.