Teen social jet lag linked to higher anxiety symptoms

A systematic review and meta-analysis of adolescent sleep and mental-health research found a small but consistent association between social jet lag and anxiety. The study team reviewed 18 studies and combined results from 12 studies encompassing more than 230,000 participants. The findings were published in Sleep Medicine Reviews .

Researchers from the University of Southampton examined whether adolescents reporting greater social jet lag also reported higher anxiety. The meta-analysis identified a small correlation between social jet lag and anxiety, and the overall pattern across the included studies consistently pointed in the same direction. The magnitude of the association was modest, and the research does not establish that social jet lag causes anxiety.

Because this was a systematic review and meta-analysis of previously reported studies, it did not directly test whether changing sleep schedules or school start times would reduce anxiety symptoms. The findings relate to the biological changes that occur during adolescence. The research team explained that the body’s internal clock generally shifts later during puberty, so teenagers usually do not feel sleepy until later and would ideally wake later as well.

At the same time, early school starts and social commitments, including time spent online, can reduce the amount of sleep teenagers obtain during the week. Many then sleep later on weekends to catch up on missed sleep. The authors highlighted regular bedtimes and wake times throughout the week, including weekends, as important considerations for adolescent wellbeing.

They also emphasized that sleep is influenced by broader systems beyond the control of individual teenagers. In particular, the team said that recognizing adolescents’ biological sleep needs and reconsidering secondary-school start times could support young people’s wellbeing. Reconsidering start times was proposed as a broader policy consideration rather than an intervention evaluated in the review.

The paper, “Out of sync and overlooked”—Relationship between social jetlag and anxiety in adolescents: Systematic review and meta-analysis—was led by Dr Hannah Ravenhall, with Dr Sarah Chellappa, Dr Alessio Bellato and Prof Matthew Garner contributing to the research. It was published in Sleep Medicine Reviews on 21 July 2026.

Subject of Research: Adolescent social jet lag and anxiety symptoms in a systematic review and meta-analysis

Article Title: ‘Social jet lag’ could contribute to teenage anxiety

Article References: ‘Social jet lag’ could contribute to teenage anxiety. Original publication (Bibliographic details unavailable.)

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DOI: Not provided

Keywords: social jet lag, adolescent sleep, teenage anxiety, sleep timing, mental health, systematic review, meta-analysis, school start times, adolescence, Social, contribute, teenage