Abstract Introduction With our knowledge of adolescents’ sleep and circadian rhythms, it is striking that there is minimal research on the sleep environment and sleep health of youth residing in juvenile justice facilities. Earlier findings from our group (Woodard et al., 2022) suggest that sleep-wake schedules and nighttime light exposure increase youth’s likelihood for conditioned insomnia symptoms and/or circadian dysregulation. The aim of this qualitative analysis is to examine youth’s perspectives about their sleep-living environment derived from brief semi-structured interviews. Methods Youth participants (N = 19, ages 13-20 years) were recruited from 6 Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) detention/treatment facilities in Maryland. For 7 consecutive mornings, youth completed a sleep diary reporting their bed/wake times, sleep onset, and type of (nocturnal) light exposure. After this week, youth were interviewed (virtual platform) about their experience with the study and their opinions on scheduling and environmental factors that they believe influenced their sleep during the previous 7 days. Based on the 8 interview questions, researchers created codes such as increased sleep knowledge, environmental disturbances, trouble with sleeping patterns, and light and environmental factors. Interviews were coded where 1 indicated the youth’s response fell into one of the codes and zero indicated the response did not correspond with one of the codes Results Interviews suggest that youth participated in the study to increase their knowledge about their sleep (47%). 63% reported that their sleep was better at home (e.g., later bed and wake times) than while residing in DJS facilities. Environmental factors such as light coming into the room (58%) and uncomfortable pillows and mattresses (37%) impacted their ability to sleep. Youth also reported that changing their sleep schedule to allow for sleeping longer in the morning would improve their sleep overall (63%). Conclusion Youth reported trouble sleeping in the facilities. Findings suggest that environmental factors such as light and noise make it difficult for youth to fall asleep and they desire later sleep-wake schedules. Further research is needed to evaluate how the environment can be modified to maximize sleep and circadian health in juvenile justice facilities. Support (if any) AASM Foundation Award #22-CS-19 & Maryland Department of Juvenile Services’ collaboration.

Abstract Introduction Adolescents who experience insufficient, poor quality sleep, and sleep problems might experience difficulties with externalizing behaviors including aggression and impulse control (Bauducco et al., 2019; Brown et al., 2022). Surprisingly, sleep and behavior for youth residing in long and short-term juvenile justice facilities is understudied. The present preliminary analysis explores self-reported sleep problems and aggressive and impulse control symptoms for youth under the care of the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS). Methods Participants (N=62, 86% male, mean age = 16.8, SD=1.2) were recruited from 11 DJS detention and treatment facilities in Maryland. Racial Backgrounds: 55% Black, 18% White, 14% Multiracial, and 12% Other. They completed an online questionnaire focused on sleep behaviors (daytime sleepiness, sleep-wake behavior problems) and daytime functioning including aggressive and impulse control behaviors (e.g., modified Aggression Questionnaire, Buss & Perry, 1992; Weinberger Adjustment Inventory, WAI, 1990). Using Pearson correlations, associations between sleep problems, daytime sleepiness and externalizing behaviors were examined. Results Self-reported daytime sleepiness and sleep-wake behavior problems were associated with increased aggressive and impulse control difficulties. Youth with more sleep-wake behavior problems reported higher levels of aggressive behaviors (r = .39, p < .01) and impulse control behaviors as measured by the WAI (r = .33, p < .05). Similarly, youth with high levels of daytime sleepiness also reported more impulse control behaviors (r = .40, p < .01). Conclusion Preliminary findings suggest that youth residing in juvenile justice facilities with sleep difficulties are more likely to report aggressive and impulse control challenges. Further analyses will provide a greater understanding of the modifying factors to better understand the youth’s sleep-living environment. Support (if any) This research is made possible by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) Foundation Award #22-CS-19 and Maryland Department of Juvenile Services’ supportive collaboration.

Objective: Few studies have explored sleep health and environmental influences on sleep and circadian health within juvenile justice facilities. The current study aims to describe sleep and circadian health of adolescents living in detention and treatment facilities.Methods: Youth (N = 62) were recruited from 11 Department of Juvenile Services facilities. They completed a novel Youth Sleep and Daytime Behavior Questionnaire, daily sleep diary for seven consecutive mornings, and a brief poststudy interview. Healthcare staff completed a Youth Health Background survey for each participating youth. Facilities' 24-hour schedules were also obtained.Results: Descriptive analyses were performed to capture the youths' sleep-wake experience while residing in Department of Juvenile Services facilities. Youth are obtaining the recommended total sleep time (M = 8.9 hours, SD = 1.2 hours) of 8-10 hours per night. However, they are taking twice as long to fall asleep (M = 47 minutes SD = 59 minutes) compared to the recommended sleep onset latency of 1020 minutes. Youths' perceptions reveal potential reasons for long sleep onset latencies, including early facility sleep-wake schedules (78%) and overhead lights (60%) remaining on throughout the night. Furthermore, 37% of youth received facility-ordered behavioral sleep assessments, 36% were taking exogenous melatonin, and the majority of youth were prescribed at least one psychotropic medication.Conclusions: Findings suggest sleep-wake schedules and light exposure may be associated with an increase in symptoms of insomnia and/or circadian dysregulation. Based on the findings, facility-wide interventions are needed to improve the youths' sleep health.(c) 2023 National Sleep Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Adolescents are susceptible to sleep loss due to biological and environmental factors such as delayed circadian timing and schedule demands. Few studies have examined sleep-wake patterns for adolescents residing in juvenile justice facilities. The current study assessed youth’s self-reported sleep-wake schedules, sleep environment perceptions, and sleep quality. Participants were recruited from 11 juvenile services detention and treatment facilities in Maryland. For seven consecutive mornings, youth completed a sleep-wake diary reporting their bed/wake times, sleep onset, and type of (nocturnal) light exposure. Youth wore digital wristwatches to accurately depict their sleep-wake schedules. Sleep quality and wake difficulty were rated on a scale from 1-10 (1=very poor/easy to 10=very good/hard, respectively). Participants (N= 64) were 13-19 years old (M= 16.7, SD= 1.3 years) and 85.9% male. Racial backgrounds: 61% Black, 18% White, 8% Multiracial, and 13% Other. Youth-reported bedtimes (M= 21:04, SD= :50) were about 50 minutes earlier than their sleep onset times (M= 21:52, SD= 1:02) while wake times (M= 6:41, SD= :46) were about 20 minutes earlier than the time youth reported leaving their bed (M= 7:00, SD= :44). Youth disclosed waking up throughout the night (M= 1.7, SD= 9) for an average 16.8 minutes (SD= 14.9). Multiple diary-responses (58%) noted “partial or overhead” lights were on in youth’s sleeping areas; 23.4% wrote in “other” types of light sources, most of which were blue lights (63%). Average sleep quality (M= 5.7, SD= 2.1) and difficulty waking up ratings (M= 5.4, SD= 2.2) indicate mediocre sleep. Findings summarize youth’s sleep-wake experience while residing in a juvenile justice facility. Reported bedtimes are earlier than sleep onset times which increases the likelihood for conditioned insomnia. Circadian dysregulation of sleep behavior can develop from frequent night awakenings and light exposure, particularly, blue light. Ultimately, these findings will help develop facility-wide interventions, improving the youth’s sleep-wake schedules and other environmental influences. This research is made possible by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) Foundation Award #22-CS-19 and Department of Juvenile Services’ supportive collaboration.

Abstract Introduction Insufficient and disordered sleep are common among developing adolescents and can result in poor health and behavioral consequences. Previous studies have examined sleep and adolescent criminal behavior; however, little is known about adolescent sleep difficulties or disorders while residing in juvenile detention and treatment facilities. The current study explores psychiatric and sleep disorder diagnoses and medication use of youth under the care of the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS). Methods Participants were recruited from 11 detention and treatment facilities across Maryland. Youth (N = 67) were 13-19 years old (M = 16.8, SD = 1.2) and 84% male and 16% female. Racial Backgrounds: 55% Black, 18% White, 14% Multiracial, and 12% Other. A Healthcare staff member from each facility completed an online medical questionnaire regarding each youth’s sleep history, medical diagnoses, and current medications. Results The most common youth diagnoses were Insomnia (N = 26), ADHD (N = 26), and Anxiety (N = 12) with 72% of youth having more than one psychiatric/sleep disorder diagnosis. The most frequently used medications were melatonin (N = 23), trazodone (N = 12), and quetiapine (N=7) and 58% were on more than one sleep/psychotropic medication. Healthcare staff ordered 25 behavioral sleep studies (e.g., DJS behavioral sleep studies consists of night resident staff tracking if youth is asleep/awake while making rounds), resulting in diagnoses of insomnia (N=9) and parasomnia (N=1). Youth with sleep studies were prescribed the following medications: trazodone (N = 5), melatonin (N = 3), other (e.g., methylphenidate, clonidine, N = 11). Conclusion These preliminary findings suggest that youth are experiencing poor sleep quality while residing in juvenile justice facilities; over a third of the youth are struggling with insomnia and are prescribed Melatonin. Further data analyses will provide a better understanding of the youths’ sleep problems and the effects on their overall health and well-being. Support (If Any) This research is made possible by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) Foundation Award #22-CS-19 and Department of Juvenile Services’ supportive collaboration.