Positive and negative emotions: Differential associations with sleep duration and quality in adolescents

L Shen, J van Schie, G Ditchburn, L Brook…�- Journal of youth and�…, 2018 - Springer
L Shen, J van Schie, G Ditchburn, L Brook, B Bei
Journal of youth and adolescence, 2018Springer
Despite positive and negative emotions being equally important predictors of adolescent
wellbeing, research examining positive emotions is limited. In 4582 adolescents (69.4%
females; age M�SD= 14.55�1.74 years), we used structural equation modelling to examine
associations between self-reported sleep duration and quality with positive affect, negative
affect, and happiness, controlling for age and sex. Overall, sleep quality displayed stronger
associations with all measures of emotions compared to sleep duration. Shorter sleep was�…
Abstract
Despite positive and negative emotions being equally important predictors of adolescent wellbeing, research examining positive emotions is limited. In 4582 adolescents (69.4% females; age M � SD= 14.55 � 1.74 years), we used structural equation modelling to examine associations between self-reported sleep duration and quality with positive affect, negative affect, and happiness, controlling for age and sex. Overall, sleep quality displayed stronger associations with all measures of emotions compared to sleep duration. Shorter sleep was more specifically associated with lower positive emotions (happiness, followed by positive affect), whereas poorer sleep showed stronger associations with negative affect. Protecting sleep duration may promote positive emotions and enhancing sleep quality may reduce mood disturbances. Future research could incorporate both positive and negative emotions to better understand adolescents’ wellbeing.
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