Sleep in Adolescence |
Investigators: Dr Dagmara Dimitriou and Georgia Pavlopoulou: Lifespan Learning and Sleep Laboratory
This survey is being conducted as part of a sleep research project. You should only take part if you want to. Before you decide whether to take part, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done, and what taking part will involve. Please take the time to read the following information carefully before moving on to answering the questions.
Purpose of the Research Project
Sleep promotes healthy neural, cognitive, socio-emotional and physical development. However recent studies suggest that many teenagers experience sleep problems. This study aims to gather information about teens’ sleep practises. We would like to understand what factors might pose a positive or negative influence on the sleep.
Sleep promotes healthy neural, cognitive, socio-emotional and physical development. However recent studies suggest that many teenagers experience sleep problems. This study aims to gather information about teens’ sleep practises. We would like to understand what factors might pose a positive or negative influence on the sleep.
What will happen during the survey?
-You will first be asked some questions about yourself, like your age, ethnicity, and medical history of your son or daughter
-You will first be asked some questions about yourself, like your age, ethnicity, and medical history of your son or daughter
-Then there will be 251 short questions which we anticipate taking around 40 minutes to complete.
-At the end of the questions, you will be offered the chance to give your email address. This will enter you into a prize draw for one of 10 Amazon vouchers worth £10 each.
-You will also be given the option saying that you would be interested in taking part with your teenager in sleep actigraphy and photo interview.
What will happen after the survey?
Teen’s Involvement
Teenagers will be required to wear an Actiwatch Mini (CamNTech, Cambridge, UK) on the non-dominant wrist continuously for five nights (from Sunday to Thursday night). After which, the Actiwatch will be returned to the researcher. The Actiwatch will measure sleep/wake patterns through movement using an accelerometer set in the small device. It will reveal information about the child’s sleep duration and sleep quality. The child can continue their daily activities such as swimming as this small device is waterproof.
Teen’s Involvement
Teenagers will be required to wear an Actiwatch Mini (CamNTech, Cambridge, UK) on the non-dominant wrist continuously for five nights (from Sunday to Thursday night). After which, the Actiwatch will be returned to the researcher. The Actiwatch will measure sleep/wake patterns through movement using an accelerometer set in the small device. It will reveal information about the child’s sleep duration and sleep quality. The child can continue their daily activities such as swimming as this small device is waterproof.
Teenagers will also have to complete the Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices test (RCPM) - a standardized test to measure nonverbal reasoning ability. This test takes around 10 minutes to complete and cosists of visual geometric design with a missing piece. The test taker is given choices to pick from and fill in the missing piece.
Parent’s / Caregiver’s Involvement
The researcher will meet up with parents/ caregivers to pass the Actiwatch. During the session, the research will demonstrate how to use the Actiwatch. After 5 days of wearing the Actiwatch, the researcher will meet up with parents and/or the child to collect the watch.
Photo-taking week and final interview (if your child is verbal)
We will provide your son or daughter with a photo camera. Each teenager will be asked to take 10-15 photos for one week of :
-Their bedroom
-Activities or items that are related to their sleep routine
-Activities or items that they feel that help them to sleep
-Activities or items that keep them awake
-Activities or items that they relate to waking up routine
-Any photo that they feel that make them think of sleep.
However, prior to this activity, teenagers will be provided with a session on how to be an ethical photographer. Parents will also be included in this session for approximately 20 minutes. Parents will be asked to review the photos that you do not include any private body parts or private activities.
Once this stage is complete, Georgia will arrange a day to talk about the photos with the teenager. This interview session last approximately 45 minutes.
The researcher will meet up with parents/ caregivers to pass the Actiwatch. During the session, the research will demonstrate how to use the Actiwatch. After 5 days of wearing the Actiwatch, the researcher will meet up with parents and/or the child to collect the watch.
Photo-taking week and final interview (if your child is verbal)
We will provide your son or daughter with a photo camera. Each teenager will be asked to take 10-15 photos for one week of :
-Their bedroom
-Activities or items that are related to their sleep routine
-Activities or items that they feel that help them to sleep
-Activities or items that keep them awake
-Activities or items that they relate to waking up routine
-Any photo that they feel that make them think of sleep.
However, prior to this activity, teenagers will be provided with a session on how to be an ethical photographer. Parents will also be included in this session for approximately 20 minutes. Parents will be asked to review the photos that you do not include any private body parts or private activities.
Once this stage is complete, Georgia will arrange a day to talk about the photos with the teenager. This interview session last approximately 45 minutes.