Factors Influencing Sleep Disturbances in Adolescent Smokers in South Korea

This study aimed to describe sleep disturbances and identify associated factors in adolescent smokers in South Korea. This study adopted a cross-sectional design and recruited 520 students aged 12-17 years from 35 schools to participate in a smoking cessation program. To compare demographic, smoking-related, psychological, and problem behavior characteristics between adolescent smokers with sleep disturbances and without sleep disturbances, chi-square tests and independent t tests were used. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with sleep disturbances in adolescent smokers. Approximately 45.8% of adolescent smokers reported sleep disturbances. Sleep disturbances were more frequent among girls than among boys and more frequent among high school students than among middle school students. Other factors included cigarette use within 1 month, nicotine dependence, smoking cessation self-efficacy, depression, Internet addiction, and suicidal ideation. Gender (girls), school level (high school), depression, Internet addiction, and daily cigarette use (11 or more cigarettes) were significantly associated with sleep disturbances in adolescent smokers. To improve the sleep quality of adolescent smokers, health professionals should focus on sleep disturbances and associated factors and develop appropriate intervention programs.