Children who suffer from chronic sleep deprivation from a young age may be more likely to experience psychosis in their early adult years, according to a recent study. The University of Birmingham conducted a large cohort study on children aged between six months and seven years to analyze the duration of sleep at night. The researchers found that children who consistently slept fewer hours had a four-fold increased risk of experiencing a psychotic episode and a more than two-fold increased risk of developing a psychotic condition in early adulthood.
While previous research has shown links between sleep problems and psychosis at specific time points, this study is the first to demonstrate that persistent lack of sleep is a strong predictor of psychosis. Dr. Isabel Morales-Munoz, the lead author of the study, emphasized the importance of recognizing when children are experiencing chronic sleep problems and knowing when to seek help. Improving sleep patterns and behaviors is essential, as persistent lack of sleep can contribute to psychiatric illness in adulthood.
The results of the study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, were based on data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) that included records of 12,394 children from 6 months to 7 years old and 3,889 individuals at 24 years old. While the association between lack of sleep in childhood and psychosis in early adulthood was robust, the research team has not established a causal link. Other factors associated with both childhood sleep and psychosis need further exploration.
In an attempt to understand the underlying mechanisms, the research team investigated the overall immune system health of the children to determine if impairments in the immune system could explain some of the associations between lack of sleep and psychosis. By measuring levels of inflammation in blood samples from nine-year-olds, the results suggested a weakened immune system could partially account for the links, but other unknown factors may also play a role.
Dr. Morales-Munoz’s research is part of the Mental Health Mission Midlands Translational Centre, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research. The Center aims to test and validate treatments for early psychosis and depression among children and young people. Early intervention is crucial in assisting young individuals with mental illness, and understanding the role of good sleep hygiene in promoting positive mental health is a vital component of this process.
Overall, the study highlights the importance of addressing and improving sleep patterns in children to prevent the risk of psychosis in early adulthood. While more research is needed to establish a definitive causal link between lack of sleep in childhood and psychosis, the findings emphasize the significance of early intervention and the potential impact of targeted interventions on mental health outcomes in young individuals. The role of good sleep hygiene in promoting positive mental health should be a key focus in mental health research and interventions.
