Neurobiological Correlates of Depression and Sleep Quality and Their Impact on Academic Performance Among Adolescents

Abstract

Background: Adolescence marks a vital developmental period which brings about substantial brain development and psychological changes with rising rates of depression and sleep disorders among teenagers have become a serious issue because these conditions can harm their academic achievements.

Purpose: The present study aimed to examine the relationship between depression, sleep quality, and academic performance among adolescents from a neurobiological perspective.

Methods: The researcher selected a sample of 30 adolescents who included 15 males and 15 females through random sampling and used the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to assess depression and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to evaluate sleep quality.

Results: The study showed that participants experienced moderate depression (M = 22.75, SD = 4.05) and they showed poor to moderate sleep quality (M = 18.60, SD = 3.90). The study showed that students achieved average academic performance (M = 68.20, SD = 6.10). The study found a significant negative relationship between depression and academic performance (r = -0.52) and between sleep quality and academic performance (r = -0.48). The study established a positive relationship between depression and sleep quality (r = 0.55) which showed that higher depression levels result in worse sleep patterns.

Conclusion: The study shows that sleep quality and depression levels both impact academic performance for adolescent students. Mental health and sleep problems need treatment through combined neurobiological and psychological treatment methods to improve academic performance of students.