Poor Childhood Sleep Doubles the Risk of Depression in Teenage Years, New Study Finds
A University of Birmingham study of 15,000 children found that persistent sleep deprivation between infancy and age seven doubles the risk of developing severe depression during adolescence. Researchers suggest that improving childhood sleep routines could serve as a preventative mental health strategy.
Why it matters
Provides actionable insights into early-life interventions that could mitigate the rising prevalence of adolescent mental health issues.
A child sleeping (stock image). Credit: Getty NEED TO KNOW Researchers studied sleep patterns and depression symptoms in over 15,000 children from infancy to early adulthood
Objective summary of academic research findings.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in