Mood and Sleep Problems in Adolescents and Young Adults: An Econometric Analysis

Sleep related problems affect about 25-40% of children and adolescents. Sleep patterns characterised by later bedtimes, insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness are related with poorer school performance, daytime drowsiness,physical tiredness and a higher rate of psychiatric illnesses. This study explored the impact of variables such as age, gender, education, and the perception of their own psychological status (evaluated through ad hoc questionnaires) on the presence of sleep disturbances and affective symptoms in a sample of 2,005 adolescents living in two Southern Italian Regions. A recursive bivariate probit model has been employed.Results show that sadness and daytime drowsiness are two key symptoms of affective and sleep disorders. An early detection of affective symptoms in adolescents suffering with sleep disorders may lead to further health benefits, as a diminished use of antidepressants and an improvement in learning abilities.