Authors: Jacalyn Richey, Hayley Pierce
Mentors: Hayley Pierce
Insitution: Brigham Young University
Good sleep habits and effective self-control are important components of successful functioning. Unfortunately, chronic sleep loss is a common concern in adolescence as both their autonomy and demands on their time increase. This loss of sleep impacts neural and physical development and is connected with increased mental illness, delinquency, and academic difficulties. Self-control may aid in the prioritization of sleep by curbing impulsive desires and improving decision making around adhering to bedtimes. This study drew on data from the Future of Families and Childhood Wellbeing Study (FFCWS) measuring self-control at age 9 and sleep outcomes at age 15 (N = 3,444; 48.7% female; 49% Non-Hispanic Black). Multivariable analyses indicated that self-control showed statistically significant relationships with social jetlag, falling asleep, and having a regular bedtime after controlling for several relational and economic factors. Improving childhood self-control habits and skills through modeling and instruction may lead to increased positive sleep outcomes, which may increase healthy development in adolescence and beyond.