Changes in Hormones, Melatonin and Cortisol, Related to the Psychological and Sleep States of High School Students

Background: Emotionally and physically unstable high school students in adolescence tend to experience psychological and sleep disturbances in their uniform and stereotyped life. Hence, we investigated the actual condition of the depressive mood and sleep disturbances of high school students. In addition, we made a study on the correlation of cortisol and melatonin hormone concentration to their depression and sleep disturbances. Methods: We used a questionnaire on depressive moods and a questionnaire on sleep quality respectively to conduct a survey on psychological and sleep states. Melatonin and cortisol concentration in saliva sampled at 7 am and 11 pm were measured by ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay), and statistical analysis was performed with SPSS-version 21. Results: According to the survey of 39 first-year and second-year high school students, there were 38.5% of the students with a depressive mood and 69.2% of students with sleep disturbance. Sleepdisturbances students suffered from depressive moods more than normal-sleep student and depressivemood students showed a significant increase in cortisol at 7 am (wake-up time). In addition, students with depressive moods and students with sleep disturbances have showed a significant increase in melatonin at 11 pm. There was no grade-specific difference. Conclusion: In conclusion, Korean high school students frequently suffer from depressive moods and sleep disturbances, and these students also showed changes in the concentration of related hormones, cortisol and melatonin. In particular, students with depressive moods experience a "phase delayed" phenomenon in which their normal circadian rhythms are delayed. This suggests that high school students' psychological and sleep disturbances may also affect hormones in their bodies. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures to reduce psychological and sleep disturbances.