Depression in adolescents is common and can interfere in school, relationships and social activities. Adolescents with depression can struggle to concentrate and spend time with their family and friends. They also commonly experience thoughts about death and suicide, and attempted suicide is a real risk in these young people. Depression during this time can have long lasting negative effects on wellbeing.

Disturbed sleep is one of the most common symptoms of depression, experienced by over 75% of depressed adolescents. Research has found evidence that sleep problems are often associated with more severe depression and increase suicidal thoughts. However, surprisingly little is known about the relationship between sleep and depression in teenagers. Does depression lead to sleep problems or do sleep problems increase the risk of developing depression? Sleep disturbances are commonly known to be a symptom of depression, but they could actively contribute to the onset or course of the disorder, making them a treatment target.

This project will use data from a large sample of children born in the early 1990s and their families. Measures of children’s mood and sleep were taken regularly throughout childhood and are available up to teenage years when depression is at peak onset. This information will help to identify when sleep problems develop and if they predict depressed mood at a later age. If this project finds that early sleep problems do predict later depression this would open up the possibility that early sleep interventions might reduce the risk, or severity, of depression.