Sleep and dropout from upper secondary school: A register-linked study

Objective The present study investigates the association between sleep in late adolescence and completion of upper secondary school. Methods The data are drawn from the youth@hordaland study, a large population-based study conducted in 2012, linked with official educational data in Norway (N = 8838). Results High school dropout was more prevalent among adolescents who had insomnia (20.6%) compared to those without insomnia (14.3%; adjusted risk ratios = 1.50; 95% confidence intervals: [2.19-2.92]). There was also a higher rate of school dropout among those who had symptoms of delayed sleep-wake phase (21%) compared to those without delayed sleep-wake phase (14.3%); adjusted risk ratios = 1.43, 95% confidence intervals: (1.28-1.59). School noncompleters were also characterized by reporting 44 minutes shorter sleep duration, longer sleep onset latency, and wake after sleep onset (both approx. 15 minutes) compared to school completers. Conclusion The importance of sleep for high school dropout rates highlights the importance of including sleep as a risk indicator and a possible target for preventive interventions in late adolescence.