How Sleeping Habits Affect Cognitive Abilities in Youth

Posted: December 22nd, 2022

How Sleeping Habits Affect Cognitive Abilities in Youth

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How Sleeping Habits Affect Cognitive Abilities in Youth

            The sleep pattern and childhood habits are essential in developing cognitive abilities. The study will show how lack of sleep before the age of 12 could affect cognitive performance of those who attain the youthful age. The report urges parents to ensure their children have consistent sleep patterns so that the latter could develop proper cognitive abilities when they become adults. It also calls on future investigators that would help address the issue at childhood. The study shows how quality sleep helps remember information, make appropriate decisions, and think properly. It emerges that when children get inadequate sleep, they suffer from impaired cognitive functions when they reach youthful age.

Literature Review

                  Sleep is vital for proper cognitive activities. Loosing significant hours of sleep can result in adverse effects on a number of cognitive operations such as reasoning, language, memory, attention, learning, and decision making. It is important to know that whereas sleep is essential to promote proper cognitive functions, it can also boost performance beyond the measures of the normal conditions, thereby making it necessary for children to get as enough sleep as possible (Diekelman, 2014). Children who get enough and quality sleep have higher chances of developing effective cognitive abilities because Diekelman (2014) believes that facilitates the consolidation of memories gained before going to going to bed as well as the gaining of new memories to be acquired after sleep.  According to a widely held framework the beneficial effects of sleep during childhood depend on the rekindling of past memories during sleep that is related with sleep-connected ripples, spindles, and oscillations in the brain (Diekelman, 2014). Recent study reveals that it is possible to improve the processing of memory during sleep by stimulating particular sleep-related brain oscillations and targeting particular neurotransmitter systems using medical approaches.  

                  Approximately one in three children in Canada do not get adequate sleep every night. Some of them have poor sleep habits, while others suffer from disorders that are caused by alterations in the brain during early stages of development (Kim et al., 2019). Some of them may experience this issue due to social problems at home, medications, or substance abuse. It is extremely difficult to adjust to a lack of sleep that may affect all youths regardless of their health, cultural background, or age (Kim et al., 2019). When a person suffers from this problem, it is common for him or her to have attention deficit disorder. Inadequate sleep during childhood slows one’s reaction time, making it easy to encounter safety-related risks at home, school, as well as during their recreational activities. It becomes difficult for the child to develop apt problem solving and innovative thinking capabilities (Kim et al., 2019). Usually, when any person sleeps, their memories are rekindled, interrelations between brain cells are reinforced, and information is passed rapidly from the short to long-term memory. Having inconsistent sleep patterns in childhood therefore puts one at a high risk of experiencing substantial cognitive problems as they age.

                  Buckhalt (2011) shows how the quality and amount of sleep affects students’ cognitive ability to handle academic tasks. Buckhalt (2011) argues that the quantity, consistency, and quality of sleep determine one’s performance on examinations that require memory, reasoning, attention, and other cognitive processes. While some evaluators already write about the benefits of such rest, very few of them highlight it as a vital source of inter and intra-individual distinctions in the academic and cognitive outcomes (Buckhalt, 2011). Recent discoveries have further clarified the connection between academic performance and sleepiness, and there are many implications for educational and psychological evaluations (Buckhalt, 2011). Poor memory, attention, and learning capabilities caused by a lack of rest may be among the significant reasons for the learner’s failure to meet expected outcomes. Such sleep patterns further cause emotional and behavioral maladjustments, which may worsen school performance.

            Aggregate performance data raises concerns among different groups, including business managers, policymakers, and the general public. Some individuals believe that failure on the part of schools and instructors is the reason for dissatisfying results, coupled with calls from many advocates for school reforms (Buckhalt, 2011). Furthermore, some have the perception that low outcome is as a result of inappropriate parenting approaches and undermining influences, such as technology, poverty, drugs, peer influence, and low motivation (Buckhalt, 2011). Additionally, some scholars blame students for not putting enough effort, with some investigators even blaming immutable genetic variations to be the cause. The report does not support any of these factors and identify sleepiness as the main issue. Buckhalt (2011) implies that it is one thing to identify the causes of poor academic outcomes but another to enforce intervention measures that are practical, economical, and effective. Improving children’s sleep patterns will help advance their cognitive skills and competence regarding academic matters.

            Sleep deprivation during childhood puts the youth at the risk of developing impaired visuomotor performance. Such individuals have lower scores when doing tasks involving substituting symbols and digits or other arithmetic functions. Kocevska et al. (2017) believe that young adults would experience some hardships when conducting visual tasks as their iconic memory has limited capacity. Sleep deprivation deters engagement of spatial focus, which is evident as impairment in eye movement (Kocevska et al., 2017). Reduced oculomotor operations are associated with depressed visual performance. However, the explanation requires further investigation to affirm the statement as not all researches relate to oculomotor malfunction with decreased cognitive capabilities.

            Some scholars relate sleep deprivation with decreased reasoning among youths, while others have contrary views. The studies finding no relationship between these two factors mainly use 24 hours time frame, while those that use longer periods such as 36 hours show opposite results. Employing divergent study approaches, however, may show clashing outcomes. Urrila et al. (2017) repeated the cognitive assessment after every 2 hours and discovered lapses after 15 hours of sleep deprivation. They believe cognitive examinations were conducted early in the morning in surveys with zero-results, while inquiries involving long hours were conducted later in the afternoon or repeatedly (Urrila et al., 2017). The varying outcomes reflect the effects of circadian rhythm on cognitive function and alertness. The circadian process usually reaches its climax in the morning or afternoon and slows when tested late in the afternoon.

            Children who do not get enough sleep develop rigid thinking when they become youths. They find it difficult to avoid errors and hardships in using new ideas and information in duties requiring proper and critical thinking (Mona El-Sheikh & Keller (2017) and Urrila et al., 2017). They also experience depressed motor functions, low memory, and ineffective speech. The negative effects of complete sleep deprivation among children explained in experimental designs also manifest in real-life situations, mainly among learners or those who are already working. Performance of youthful workers in routine practices or fulfilling repetitive roles requiring keenness becomes more mistake-prone if they stay awake for long (Urrila et al., 2017). More recent meta-evaluation shows that inadequate and inconsistent sleep causes much reduction in the performance of those serving in clinical settings (Urrila et al., 2017). Such additional revelations help to illustrate the importance of quality sleep during childhood for teenagers to perform their cognitive functions well.

            Some scholars find a significant relationship between high levels of motivation and cognitive performance in youths. Many of them believe a high level of motivation pays for reduced production, but only limited attempts have been executed to prove the theory. Measuring the compensatory effects of motivation in cognitive performance in case of sleep deprivation is generally hard since individuals taking part in research usually exhibit high motivational levels at the start of the surveys. Alhola and Polo-Kantola (2017) experiment various forms of motivation in a study with 72 hours of sleep deprivation among the participants aged 8-12 years, where the respondents evaluate both motivation to conduct specific tasks and the desire to indulge in leisure activities (Alhola & Polo-Kantola, 2017). Cognitive functions were performed after every 2 hours, and it appeared that performance motivation lowered only on the second night of sleep deprivation until the third day when the study came to a halt (Alhola & Polo-Kantola, 2017). The investigators conclude that the respondents become more inspired to perform experimental tasks rather than indulging in leisure acts because they could improve the completion of the survey by conducting the duties. The investigators concluded that the high motivation towards the responsibilities on the third day marked the end of increased cognitive attention due to the irresistible urge to sleep.

            The idea that inadequate and inconsistent sleep patterns during childhood have adverse effects on the youth calls for the adoption of suitable measures that would prevent further interference with cognitive abilities. Educators should remind their learners to secure enough time for sleep (Adams et al., 2017). Parents and guardians should also encourage children at this age group to sleep well to develop their health and learning capacities. They can incorporate changes in behaviors that could interfere with sleep. For example, they can improve air quality in the bedroom and beddings, discourage late-night movies or activities, and lower noise level after bedtime (Adams et al., 2017). The society should be cautious not to form activities or situations that obstruct consistent and peaceful sleep, such as scheduling sporting events in a way that does not impede sleep pattern (Adams et al., 2017). People during their young age can read and conduct researches on the dangers of inadequate and inconsistent rest on cognitive performance (Kocevska et al., 2017). Failing to embrace such measures will result in poor performance of cognitive functions.

                  More studies by Reut and Lana (2013) show that proper sleep pattern is critical for proper child and adolescent health, academic performance, and development. Parents and guardians need to understand that lifestyle habits largely influences a child’s sleep patterns causing either positive or unwanted results on the achievement of enough and quality sleep. Reut and Lana (2013) perform a qualitative study to identify the lifestyle factors that support healthy sleep patterns or disrupt the child’s sleep habits and come up with enlightening results. The survey exposed that increased interaction with modern technology, especially devices such as video games, computer, and television lead to increased night-time arousal and exposure to light. Reut and Lana (2013) also find consuming products that promote wakefulness such as caffeine and consuming food late in the night could also disrupt sleep patterns. The study discovered that improving the physical environment like air quality and space could improve sleep habits.

Conclusion

            The study elaborates on how inadequate, poor quality, and inconsistent sleep during childhood affects cognitive development in youth. Students who do not allocate enough time to rest experience significant challenges in handling their school work, which causes their poor performance. They also experience numerous cognitive constraints at the workplace when they do not get adequate bed rest. Overcoming the inconsistent and inappropriate sleep patterns among youth requires the adoption of programs that will educate the population how to develop adequate sleep behavior and create a home environment that is suitable for quality rest. Although motivation can increase cognitive performance among the youth, one can show good scores to a certain level if they do not have enough sleep.

Future Research

            Future researchers should pay more attention to the concepts that would help the youth improve their sleep habits since this the rest is one of the factors that affect one’s cognitive abilities. For example, they need to investigate how light effects sleep patterns. Snel and Lorist (2011) write that this factor makes it hard for individuals to fall asleep and determines the timing of the circadian rhythm, thus affecting people’s preferred time to go to bed. Therefore, future scholars should explain how light influences the internal body clock through light-sensitive cells in the retina (Snel & Lorist, 2011). They should also make use of historical facts to find how changes in the external environment alter people’s sleep behaviors. In such a way, they could provide more insight on how children can enhance their sleep patterns (Snel & Lorist, 2011). For example, they should evaluate how much increased exposure to light at night drives youth to stay up longer before going to bed. The researchers should develop a compelling argument on how such alterations could affect cognitive development.

            Future researches should avoid uncertainty that exists in current literature. Unclear statements and conclusions regarding certain issues such as the effects of motivation can create gaps in the research. Therefore, they could derail the efforts to understand how sleep patterns affect cognitive development and performance in youth. An effective way to fill the differences is to be close to each other and share information on contentious issues. The best way to report unclear matters would be to conduct prolonged investigations to decrease any doubts and disagreements that cause confusion amongst instructors, learners, and researchers.

             Future investigators should develop strategies that will help parents and guardians improve their children’s sleep pattern and cognitive skills. They should perform numerous studies on the issue to introduce suggestions that would have long-term implications. The researchers also need to explore various methods that would help parents to improve their children’s sleep patterns at different stages of development. Such recommendations would help to develop appropriate cognitive capabilities in children as they become adults.

References

Adams, S., et al. (2017). The young and the restless: Socializing trumps sleep, fear of missing out, and technological distractions in first-year college students. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 22(3), 337-348.

Alhola, P., & Polo-Kantola, P. (2017). Sleep deprivation: Impact on cognitive performance. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 3(5), 553-567.

Buckhalt, J. (2011). Children’s sleep, sleepiness, and performance on cognitive tasks. WMF Press Bulletin, 2, 1-12.

Diekelmann, S. (2014). Sleep for cognitive enhancement. Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience, 8(46), doi: 10.3389/fnsys.2014.00046.

Kim, J., et al. (2019). Relationship between sleep patterns, health risk behaviors, and health outcomes among school-based population of adolescents: A panel analysis of the Korean children and youth panel survey. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16, 1-9.

Kocevska, D., et al. (2017). Early childhood sleep patterns and cognitive development at age 6 years: The generation R study. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 42(3), 260-268.

Mona El-Sheikh, J., & Keller, P. (2017). Children’s sleep and cognitive functioning: Race and socioeconomic status as moderators of effects. Child Development, 78(1), 213-231.

Reut, G., & Lana, B. (2013). Lifestyle factors that affect youth’s sleep and strategies for guiding patients and families toward healthy sleeping. Journal of Sleep Disorders & Therapy, 2(5), 1-4.

Snel, J., & Lorist, M. (2011). Effects of caffeine on sleep and cognition. Progress in Brain Research, 190, 105-117.

Urrila, A., et al. (2017). Sleep habits, academic performance, and the adolescent brain structure. Scientific Reports, 7. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/srep41678