What’s Eating up AdolescentSleep? Evidence from Bihar

Abstract

The present study explores the causes behind sleep deprivation among the adolescent population of Bihar. Seventy-five adolescents, from three districts of Bihar (Darbhanga, Madhubani, and Samastipur) including 40 females and 35 males, aged 15-23 years (M = 18.15, SD = 3.19) were interviewed ontheir daily sleep-wake routine during weekdays and weekends, overall quality of sleep, use of electronic devices during bedtime and their viewpoint toward sleep. Content analysis of the responses revealcasual mindset towards sleep as primary cause of sleep deprivation, followed by use of electronic devices during sleep time, consistent academic pressure to attend early morning classes and finishing assignments. This was evident in their differences of sleep-wake cycle on weekdays and weekends.Suggestive measures including healthy human-technology assimilation, self-driven regularized use of mobiles during sleep time, delayed morning classes, and undergoing physical activities through sports and yoga at educational institutes are further discussed for promoting sleep among adolescents.