Teenagers experiencing "social jet lag"—the mismatch between early school day wake-up times and later weekend sleep schedules—may be at higher risk for increased anxiety, according to a study published in the journal Sleep Medicine Reviews. Researchers from the University of Southampton analyzed 12 studies involving over 235,000 adolescents aged 12 to 18, and conducted a narrative review of six additional studies.
The findings suggest a link between greater levels of social jet lag and higher reported anxiety in young people. While the effect might appear small, the researchers stated it is unlikely to be coincidental and is consistent across multiple studies.
"During puberty, the body's internal clock usually shifts back by a few hours, meaning teenagers naturally don't start feeling sleepy until later and would ideally wake up later, too," explained Dr. Sarah Chellappa of Southampton University. "But teenagers also face demands on their time, from early school starts to socialising online, which can rob them of sleep – especially during the week."
The study highlights that many teenagers attempt to compensate for lost sleep by sleeping longer on weekends. However, this creates a discrepancy between weekday and weekend sleep patterns, potentially exacerbating social jet lag.
This research emerges as mental health concerns among young people are a significant issue. A separate report by Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza in June indicated that over one million children in England were referred for or awaiting mental health treatment, with anxiety being the most common reason for referrals.
"The findings highlight the importance of maintaining regular bedtimes and wake times throughout the week, even at weekends," said Dr. Hannah Ravenhall, the lead author of the paper. "This starts with acknowledging the biological sleep changes that occur in adolescence, advocating for their sleep needs and reconsidering secondary school start times to support young people's wellbeing."