647 Adolescent and Young Adult Sleep and Sleep-Related Behaviour Change During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Carmona, Nicole; Carney, Colleen

INTRODUCTION: Sleep disturbance, poor sleep quality, and dissatisfaction with sleep are common among adolescents and young adults (AYAs; e.g., Becker et al., 2018; Hicks et al., 2002; Hysing et al., 2013). Environmental and behavioural factors (e.g., early school start times, evening technology use and social pressures) are barriers to healthy sleep among AYAs that contribute to a “perfect storm” of sleep disturbance during this period (Carskadon, 2011; Crowley et al., 2018). Notwithstanding, few AYAs have access to sleep treatments. The COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns decreased academic and scheduling demands, providing an opportunity to study unconstrained AYA sleep and potentially facilitating better access to sleep interventions (Simpson & Manber, 2020). This study evaluated differences in baseline sleep and sleep-related behaviour change (i.e., how AYAs use an evidence-based app for sleep disturbance) before vs. during the lockdown. METHODS: Participants between the ages of 15 and 24 (M=20.66, SD=2.38) completed a 4-week feasibility study evaluating a free, transdiagnostic sleep self-management app (DOZE) before the lockdown (“Pre-Lockdown”; n=51) or during the lockdown (“Lockdown”; n=29). After 2 weeks of completing baseline sleep diaries, participants could set goals based on feedback and access tips, followed by 2 more weeks of completing sleep diaries. RESULTS: Compared to Pre-Lockdown, Lockdown demonstrated less variability in their sleep schedules (ps≤.011), less napping (p=.002), but increased time in bed (TIB; p<.001) and total wake time (p=.007). Total sleep time, lingering in bed in the morning, and sleep efficiency did not differ between groups. Relative to Pre-Lockdown, Lockdown showed a greater tendency to set goals to reduce schedule variability (p=.010) and to restrict excessive TIB (p=.005). Rates of goal setting for lingering in bed in the morning, sleepiness, naps, and sleep-interfering substance use did not differ between groups. Rates of accessing tips did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Effects of COVID-19 lockdown on AYA sleep included less variability in their schedule and a decreased need for naps, but negative effects on TWT and TIB. As a result, AYAs set different goals during the COVID-19 lockdowns, focusing more on restricting excessive TIB than on schedule variability. SUPPORT (IF ANY): Canadian Institutes of Health Research eHealth Innovation Partnership Program (#143551).