Teen sleep, emotional well-being and mental health : a qualitative study : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University, Distance, New Zealand

Abstract

Worldwide and in Aotearoa New Zealand (ANZ), adolescents often obtain insufficient sleep and experience poor emotional well-being and mental health. However, limited research explores what adolescents think and experience about their sleep, emotional well-being and mental health. This experiential qualitative study aimed to learn what adolescents' think about their sleep, emotional well-being and mental health and the possible connection between these concepts. Adolescents were given the opportunity to showcase what they do, or would like to do, to get the best possible sleep, emotional well-being and mental health. Further, adolescents voiced what others, such as family and the school could do to improve their emotional well-being, mental health and sleep. Interviews were conducted with 12 adolescents at one North Island ANZ school and data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The analysis yielded six themes and four sub-themes. The ‘Knowing, Doing and Wanting to Do’ theme highlighted that many adolescents knew what impacted their sleep, mental health and emotional well-being, and were taking positive actions to support these concepts, like creating a comfortable sleeping environment. The ‘Who Influences Teen Sleep’, theme indicated that some families were already supporting their adolescents' sleep, while other adolescents noted that there were actions their family, friends or people at school could take to help their sleep. The ‘When I have a Good Sleep, I'm usually Pretty Productive…’, theme portrayed that good or poor sleep influenced productivity and energy levels. The ‘I'm Not Faking it when I'm Not Tired…’ theme showcased how good or poor sleep influenced social interactions. The ‘What’s the Connection Between Sleep, Mental Health, Mood and Emotional Well-being?’ theme highlighted the uni-or-bi-directional connections that good or poor sleep had on mood, mental health and emotional well-being. Lastly, the theme ‘What should we do now? indicated that many adolescents wanted more education at school about mental health, sleep and emotional well-being. This research highlighted that adolescents have a detailed understanding of their sleep, mental health and emotional well-being. The results of the study can inform adolescent health policies, care and interventions, and emphases the need to work with adolescents in these endeavours.