Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the prerequisites required for the provision and use of web-based communication for psychosocial support within a haematology clinic, from a patient and family perspective. Method: A qualitative design using content analysis was used. A strategically selected sample of patients ( n ¼ 11) and family members ( n ¼ 6) were offered access to a web-based communication capability with a nurse. After four months, individual interviews were conducted with all participants, in order to identify necessary prerequisites. Results: Preferences and characteristics of the individual patient or family member are crucial as to whether web-based communication for support is perceived as useful. To feel comfortable with writing and to self-identify the need for support are fundamental in getting motivated to use web-based com- munication. An effective organization around psychosocial support in general is another prerequisite. Goals and responsibilities must be clearly de fi ned for patients and family members to understand their rights and enable the transformation of opportunities into practice. The use of web-based communi- cation must also be a convenient and naturally incorporated part of both individual and organizational use of the web in general. Conclusions: Prerequisites of taking into account caretakers ’ different preferences and needs, providing highly structured psychosocial support activities and providing a congruent range of web services, are necessary for successful provision and use of web-based communication for psychosocial support.

Patients with haematological diseases are entitled to supportive care. Considering organisational and technological development, support in the form of caring communication provided through the web is today a possible alternative. The aim of this thesis was to examine the usefulness and importance of a web-based counselling service to patients with haematological diseases. The basis for the thesis was a development project funded by the Swedish Cancer Society, which provided an opportunity to offer patients communication with a nurse through a web-based counselling service.

Four studies were performed from a patient perspective. Study I had a cross-sectional design, measuring occurrence of anxiety and depression, and these variables’ associations to mastery, social support, and insomnia among patients with haematological diseases. Study II was a qualitative content analysis focusing on conditions for provision and use of the web-based counselling service. Study III used a qualitative hermeneutical approach to focus on patients’ experiences of using the counselling service. Study IV was a qualitative deductive analysis examining how communication within the web-based counselling service can be caring in accordance to caring theory.

The results revealed that females of 30-49 years of age are vulnerable to experiencing anxiety. Low sense of mastery and support are associated with anxiety and/or depression. Being able to self-identify the need for support as well as appreciate the written medium are necessary conditions for the web-based counselling service to be used. The counselling service must also be part of a comprehensive range of supportive activities and web-based services to be useful. The main importance of the communication is that the patient’s influence on the communication is strengthened, and that the constant access to individual medical and caring assessment can imply a sense of safety. When patients share their innermost concerns and search for support, nursing compassion and competence can substantiate in explicit written responses.

A conclusion is that there is a caring potential in communication within a web-based counselling service. To make this form of communication possible, nurses should take possession of and ensure that this medium for communication is offered to patients. Nurses should also increase their knowledge of caring communication in writing and how this possibly can impact patients.

Background: Being critically ill with a hematological disease is a challenge, sometimes causing a need for support in the adjustment to the stressful life situation. By providing Web-based communication for support from a nurse, patients get access to an alternative and untraditional way to communicate their issues. Objective: The aim was to describe the meaning of using Web-based communication for support from a patient perspective. Methods: A comprehensive randomized pilot study (n = 30) was conducted, allowing 15 patients in the experimental group to have access to the Web-based communication, to evaluate feasibility. Of these 15 participants, 10 were interviewed, focusing on their experiences. An empirical hermeneutical approach was used and the interpretive analysis focused on the meanings. Results: Web-based communication for support means a space for patients to have their say, consolidation of a matter, an extended caring relationship, access to individual medical assessment, and an opportunity for emotional processing. The main interpretation indicates that the patient's influence on the communication strengthens according to the asynchronous, faceless, and written communication. The increased, and in some sense constant, access to an individual medical and caring assessment, in turn, implies a feeling of safety. Conclusion: Web-based communication for support seems to have the potential to enhance patients' participation on their own terms. Implications for Practice: To achieve the possible advantages of Web-based communication for support, nurses must acquire knowledge about caring writing. It requires respect for the patient and articulated accuracy and attention in the response given.

Sleep-related problems are growing among adolescent word-wide. The sleep recommendation for adolescents is at least 8-10 hours per night[1] . The brain becomes affected even after a few nights sleep loss[2]. This is evident in learning ability, memory, concentration, reaction time and mood changes. Health risks such as self-injury, increased drug use, reckless driving, hyperactivity, aggression and severe sleep problems are effects of recurrent sleep deprivation[3]. Depression, anxiety, concentration difficulties, hyperactivity and poorer performance in school are proven consequences of sleeping problems among children and adolescents[4][5][6].The aims of this study were to describe the prevalence of sleep duration and sleep problems, and their associations to IT/Media use, IT/Media use at bedtime, school stress and self-perception, among adolescents. This was a descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire study. The sample included 937 adolescents in last-year secondary school, in a municipality in the West of Sweden. Statistical analyses showed that 55% of the adolescents sleep less than the recommended eight hours per night and 11% have sleep problems. Based on the background variables, girls show worse outcomes in all measured variables. Adolescents who live with non-cohabiting parents sleep less and have more sleep problems than adolescents who live with cohabiting parents. Short sleep duration correlated with IT/media use and school stress. Sleep problems were also correlated with school stress and self-perception. There is a need to develop and implement adequate sleep prevention measures for adolescents. The results need to be taken seriously in-order to promote adolescents’ opportunities for good health and well-being. This knowledge should be disseminated, discussed and subsequently integrated into prevention and health promotion by School Nurses.

[1] National Sleep Foundation, 2015

[2] Könen, Dirk and Schmiedek,2015

[3] Schmidt & van der Linden, 2015

[4] Titova, Hogenkamp & Jacobsson, 2015

[5] Sivertsen, Harvey, Lundervold & Hysing, 2014

[6] Cleland Woods & Scott, 2016

Sleeping difficulties are increasingly prevalent among adolescents and have negative consequences for their health, well-being, and education. The aim of this study was to illuminate the meanings of adolescents’ lived experiences of sleeping difficulties. The data were obtained from narrative interviews with 16 adolescents aged 14–15 in a Swedish city and were analyzed using the phenomenological hermeneutic method. The findings revealed four themes: feeling dejected when not falling asleep, experiencing the night as a struggle, searching for better sleep, and being affected the next day. The comprehensive understanding illuminates that being an adolescent with sleeping difficulties means it is challenging to go through the night and to cope the next day. It also means a feeling of being trapped by circumstances. As the adolescents’ lived experiences become apparent, the possibility for parents, school nurses, and other professional caregivers to support adolescents’ sleep increases.

Objectives:

Now recognized as a public health issue, sleeping difficulties among adolescents, mainly involving insufficient sleep, are common (Gradisar et al., 2011; Louzada, 2019; Saxvig et al., 2020). To avoid persistent sleeping difficulties, health-related problems, and school failure, it is of utmost importance to promote good sleep among adolescents. This study explores adolescents’ suggestions on how their sleep could be supported.

Methods:

Data were collected via eight focus group interviews with 43 adolescents aged 15–16 from different demographic areas in a Swedish city, 42% boys and 58% girls. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis (Lindgren et al., 2020). 

Results:

The results describes the adolescents’ suggestions about how their sleep can be supported in three themes. 

Being supported by involved parents

Even though adolescents are starting to become independent individuals, they want support to sleep better. Above all, they want support from their parents in the form of routines, security, and knowledge about sleep.

Being supported to achieve knowledge on the “whys” and “hows” of sleep

Adolescents value knowledge and advice that they receive from those they trust because it is then perceived as targeted and personal. Adolescents also want school education about sleep to be more activity-based, as they find that learning and motivation increase with this type of pedagogy.

Being guided into finding balance 

By being encouraged into activity, learning to deal with silence, as well as by receiving support by structures in school, the adolescents believe they can be guided to finding balance. 

Conclusions:

Designing interventions and health promotions in line with what the adolescents suggest will create the conditions to successfully support adolescents’ sleep. These suggestions should be used by parents, health professionals, and the school, all of whom have the opportunity to influence adolescents; these strategies also need to be evaluated

Sleeping difficulties among adolescents constitute a pressing public health issue, and it is of the utmost importance that these are approached from a health-promotion perspective. This study explores adolescents' suggestions on how their sleep could be supported. Data were collected via eight focus group interviews with 43 adolescents aged 15-16, in Sweden, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The results describe the adolescents' suggestions on how their sleep could be supported in three themes: being supported by involved parents- routines, engagement, and warmth are vital; being supported to achieve knowledge on the "whys" and "hows" of sleep-increased knowledge gives the ability to make well-grounded sleep choices; and being guided into finding balance-balance in life is difficult to achieve and adolescents desire support. Parents, school nurses, health professionals, and anyone who has the opportunity to improve and promote sleep should consider adolescents' suggestions.

Background

Sleeping difficulties are increasingly prevalent among adolescents worldwide and have negative consequences for health, well-being, and education. In order to develop and implement health promotion about sleep, additional knowledge is required, especially knowledge based on adolescent´s own experiences. This kind of research is currently limited. This study aimed to describe reasons for sleeping difficulties as perceived by adolescents.

Methods

This was a descriptive study, analyzing the data with qualitative and quantitative content analysis. Data was collected using an open ended question in a questionnaire; If you experience that you sleep too short, have trouble falling asleep, wake up at night or sleep not rested, please write what you think your sleeping difficulties may be due to. The participants consisted of 475 adolescents in grade nine (15-16 year), in 13 secondary schools, in a Swedish city.

Results

The adolescent´s descriptions of reasons for sleeping difficulties are understood as an imbalance between requirements and preconditions. Requirements are about performing at school, doing activities, being social both digitally and in real life, having fun, taking care of their health, reflecting on the existence and the future. Preconditions can be about having time, structure and parental support, but also an ability to set your own limits. When the preconditions are insufficient to match the requirements, an imbalance occurs where sleep loses out. Six different categories described reasons for adolescents sleeping difficulties. The most prominent reason was stress followed by technology use and then poor sleep habits, existential thoughts, needs, and suffering.

Conclusions

In order to avoid sleeping difficulties, adolescents need to deal with reasons such as stress, technology use, non-existent sleeping habits, existential considerations, needs and various forms of suffering. Adolescents need support to find a functioning balance in everyday life, dealing with these reasons. The support is needed from especially parents but also from professional caregivers. All health professionals caring for adolescents should remain vigilant regarding the important issue of sleeping difficulties, as good sleep hygiene optimizes adolescents’ capability for health and development.

Objectives/Introduction: Sleeping difficulties are increasingly prevalent among adolescents worldwide and have negative consequences for health, well‐being, and education. In order to develop and implement health promotion about sleep, additional knowledge is required, especially knowledge based on adolescent´s own experiences. This kind of research is currently limited. This study aimed to describe reasons for sleeping difficulties as perceived by adolescents.

Methods: This was a descriptive study, analyzing the data with qualitative and quantitative content analysis. Data was collected using an open ended question in a questionnaire; If you experience that you sleep too short, have trouble falling asleep, wake up at night or sleep not rested, please write what you think your sleeping difficulties may be due to. The participants consisted of 475 adolescents in grade nine (15–16 year), in 13 secondary schools, in a Swedish city.

Results: The adolescent´s descriptions of reasons for sleeping difficulties are understood as an imbalance between requirements and preconditions. Requirements are about performing at school, doing activities, being social both digitally and in real life, having fun, taking care of their health, reflecting on the existence and the future. Preconditions can be about having time, structure and parental support, but also an ability to set your own limits. When the preconditions are insufficient to match the requirements, an imbalance occurs where sleep loses out. Six different categories described reasons for adolescents sleeping difficulties. The most prominent reason was stress followed by technology use and then poor sleep habits, existential thoughts, needs, and suffering.

Conclusions: In order to avoid sleeping difficulties, adolescents need to deal with reasons such as stress, technology use, non‐existent sleeping habits, existential considerations, needs and various forms of suffering. Adolescents need support to find a functioning balance in everyday life, dealing with these reasons. The support is needed from especially parents but also from professional caregivers. All health professionals caring for adolescents should remain vigilant regarding the important issue of sleeping difficulties, as good sleep hygiene optimizes adolescents’ capability for health and development.

Sleeping difficulties are increasingly prevalent among adolescents worldwide and have negative consequences for adolescent health and education. The aim of this study was to describe the reasons for sleeping difficulties as perceived by adolescents. Sleeping difficulties include insufficient sleep, trouble falling asleep, waking up at night, or sleep that does not leave an individual rested. Data were collected in 2015 using an open-ended question. The sample consisted of n = 475 adolescents from a city in Sweden, aged 15–16 years, with self-assessed sleeping difficulties. The results described the reasons for the adolescents’ sleeping difficulties, at a general, thematic level, as an imbalance between requirements and preconditions, distributed to stress, technology use, poor sleep habits, existential thoughts, needs, and suffering. To find a balance in their daily lives, adolescents may need support from parents, school nurses, and school health services to deal with their sleeping difficulties.

Background

Sleeping difficulties are growing among adolescents worldwide. Research shows relationships between sleeping difficulties and reduced learning ability, memory impairment, hyperactivity, poorer school performance, lower grades, and increased risk of depression and anxiety. In order to develop and implement health promotion about sleep, additional knowledge is required, especially knowledge based on adolescent´s own experiences. This kind of research is currently limited both nationally and internationally. This study aimed to describe reasons for sleeping difficulties as perceived by adolescents.

Methods

This was a descriptive study, analyzing the data with qualitative and quantitative content analysis. Data was collected using an open ended question in a questionnaire; If you experience that you sleep too short, have trouble falling asleep, wake up at night or sleep not rested, please write what you think your sleeping difficulties may be due to. Background information, such as gender, housing, ethnicity and grades were collected too. The participants consisted of 475 adolescents in grade nine (15-16 year), in 13 secondary schools, in a Swedish city.

Results

The adolescent´s descriptions of reasons for sleeping difficulties are understood as an imbalance between requirements and preconditions. Requirements are about performing at school, doing activities, being social both digitally and in real life, having fun, taking care of their health, reflecting on the existence and the future. Preconditions can be about having time, structure and parental support, but also an ability to set your own limits. When the preconditions are insufficient to match the requirements, an imbalance occurs where sleep loses out. Six different categories described reasons for adolescents sleeping difficulties. The most prominent reason was stress followed by technology use and then poor sleep habits, existential thoughts, needs, and suffering.

Conclusions

In order to avoid sleeping difficulties, adolescents need to deal with reasons such as stress, technology use, non-existent sleeping habits, existential considerations, needs and various forms of suffering. Adolescents need support to find a functioning balance in everyday life, dealing with these reasons. The support is needed from especially parents but also from the school nurse and school health services. The school nurses has an important role to prevent sleeping difficulties by addressing reasons for sleeping difficulties.

Sleep duration and sleeping difficulties among adolescents: exploring associations with school stress, self-perception and technology use

Sleeping problems are increasing among adolescents worldwide. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of self-reported sleep duration and sleeping difficulties, as well as to explore their associations with school stress, self-perception, that is how adolescents perceive their appearance and happiness, and technology use among adolescents. Data were collected in 2015 using a questionnaire. A total of 937 ninth grade adolescents, 15–16 years, from a city in western Sweden participated, resulting in a response rate of 83%. The result showed that 55% of the adolescents slept less than the recommended 8 hours per night and 11% had sleeping difficulties. School stress and technology use were associated with short sleep duration. School stress and self-perception were associated with sleeping difficulties. The girls had worse outcomes for sleeping difficulties, school stress, self-perception and technology use than the boys. Based on the results, there is a need for school nurses to implement preventive measures to improve adolescents’ sleep.

Introduction: Sleeping difficulties, including insufficient sleep, trouble falling asleep, waking up at night, or sleep that does not leave an individual rested, are increasingly prevalent among adolescents and have negative consequences for their’ health, well-being, and education. It is of utmost importance to research adolescents’ sleep. A range of studies with different methodological perspectives are needed to inform and understand adolescents’ sleep. To date, there are few studies in sleep research that take a qualitative approach. Therefore, it is important to illuminate adolescents’ own experience of sleeping difficulties to acquire broader knowledge and the necessary evidence in order to provide preventive care interventions.

Method: The data were obtained from narrative interviews with 16 adolescents aged 14–15 in a Swedish city and were analyzed using the phenomenological hermeneutic method.

Results: Four themes that illustrate the meaning of adolescents experience of sleeping difficulties emerged: feeling dejected when not falling asleep, experiencing the night as a struggle, searching for better sleep, and being affected the next day. The comprehensive understanding illuminates what being an adolescent with sleeping difficulties means; it is a challenge to go through the night; cope with the next day; and to harbor a panorama of emotions that emerge during the night, such as frustration, annoyance, concern, dejection, sadness, and fear. These emotions arise when the adolescent is unable to unwind and has concerns that grow during the night. The adolescent experience a feeling of being trapped in circumstances, all of which are incompatible with getting a good night’s sleep.

Conclusions: In order to understand adolescents’ sleeping difficulties, a comprehensive understanding of the context in which the adolescents live is needed. Adolescents need to navigate and find balance in relation to circumstances that may affect their sleep and that are often beyond their control, such as norms and values in society, in social media, in school, and in family and friend groups. By genuinely listening to the adolescents’ narratives about their sleeping difficulties and the context in which they interact will parents, professional caregivers, and researchers increase their understanding.

Objectives/Introduction: Sleeping difficulties, including insufficient sleep, trouble falling asleep, waking up at night, or sleep that does not leave an individual rested, are increasingly prevalent among adolescents and have negative consequences for their’ health, well‐being, and education. It is of utmost importance to research adolescents’ sleep. A range of studies with different methodological perspectives are needed to inform and understand adolescents’ sleep. To date, there are few studies in sleep research that take a qualitative approach. Therefore, it is important to illuminate adolescents’ own experience of sleeping difficulties to acquire broader knowledge and the necessary evidence in order to provide preventive care interventions.

Methods: The data were obtained from narrative interviews with 16 adolescents aged 14–15 in a Swedish city and were analyzed using the phenomenological hermeneutic method.

Results: Four themes that illustrate the meaning of adolescents experience of sleeping difficulties emerged: feeling dejected when not falling asleep, experiencing the night as a struggle, searching for better sleep, and being affected the next day. The comprehensive understanding illuminates what being an adolescent with sleeping difficulties means; it is a challenge to go through the night; cope with the next day; and to harbor a panorama of emotions that emerge during the night, such as frustration, annoyance, concern, dejection, sadness, and fear. These emotions arise when the adolescent is unable to unwind and has concerns that grow during the night. The adolescent experience a feeling of being trapped in circumstances, all of which are incompatible with getting a good night's sleep.

Conclusions: In order to understand adolescents’ sleeping difficulties, a comprehensive understanding of the context in which the adolescents live is needed. Adolescents need to navigate and find balance in relation to circumstances that may affect their sleep and that are often beyond their control, such as norms and values in society, in social media, in school, and in family and friend groups. By genuinely listening to the adolescents’ narratives about their sleeping difficulties and the context in which they interact will parents, professional caregivers, and researchers increase their understanding.

En vanlig uppfattning i samhället är att ungdomar som sover för lite är slarviga med rutiner och att skärmarna tar deras tid. Men är problematiken så enkel? Hur är det egentligen att ha sömnsvårigheter? En ny studie från Högskolan Borås ger en inblick i ungdomars egna upplevelser.