Chapter 1: Biological Changes

Adolescents' need for sleep changes rapidly during the transition from childhood into adolescence. In addition to just making you feel bad, lack of sleep is associated with lower cognitive functioning, depression, and low self-esteem. Each of these sites provides more information to this and related topics.

• Soren, Karen. The Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeon's Complete Home Medical Guide. Chapter 8: The Adolescent Years. Retrieved January 25, 2004, from the World Wide Web.
  • This site provides information on basic biological changes associated with the onset of adolescence. It provides good background information for further reading. Given the rapid growth and biological changes adolescents' experience, their need for sleep is not surprising.

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep. Retrieved January 25, 2004 from the World Wide Web.
  • This site provides basic information on what sleep is and why it is necessary for the basic functioning of the brain and nervous system. Includes tips on getting a good nights' sleep

• You can test your knowledge of sleep by taking an on-line quiz from the National Institute of Health.
• Nemours Center for Children's Health Media. Sleep. Retrieved January 25, 2004 from the World Wide Web.
  • How much sleep do you need? What kinds of things interfere with sleep? This site provides a discussion of adolescent sleep and sleep problems, with tips on how to squeeze more sleep into your schedule.

• National Institute of Health: Educating Youth About Sleep and Drowsy Driving: Strategy Development Workshop Report September 1998. Retrieved January 25, 2004 from the World Wide Web.
  • Lack of sleep can be more than just an inconvenience - it can kill you. This summary provides excellent background information on sleep and sleep deprivation, as well as recommendations to educate youth about the dangers of driving while drowsy. Of particular interest is a nice summary of research on the delayed phase preference and how it affects adolescents.

• Carpenter, S. (2001). Sleep deprivation may be undermining teen health. American Psychological Association Monitor on Psychology. Retrieved January 25, 2004, from the World Wide Web.
  • This piece summarizes research on the causes and consequences of sleeplessness in teens.