by Joe Stafford, University of Manchester

Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A new study by researchers at The University of Manchester, using data from the #BeeWell survey, has found that sleep plays a crucial role in the mental well-being of adolescent girls.

Published in Quality of Life Research, the study tracked nearly 28,000 teenagers in Greater Manchester over three years and examined how sleep, physical activity, and mental well-being are connected.

It revealed that girls' sleep and mental well-being are closely linked. When girls reported getting enough sleep, they reported better mental well-being one year later. Interestingly, this relationship was found to be reciprocal, meaning that better mental well-being also predicted the later sleep quality of girls. This connection was particularly strong between the ages of 12 and 14—a crucial time when mental health challenges can emerge.

For boys, sleep was also a predictor of their well-being, but the study did not find a reciprocal effect—well-being did not predict their later sleep quality.

The study also found that sleep patterns of girls were less stable than those of boys, suggesting that it may be a useful target for intervention.

Finally, the study found that for boys, well-being predicted their later physical activity levels.

"Our research demonstrates the critical role of sleep in adolescent well-being, particularly for girls," said lead researcher Dr. Jose Marquez. "It is therefore vital that young people are empowered with the knowledge, practices and benefits of good sleep habits, in addition to raising awareness of the immediate and longer-term consequences of poor sleep quality."

"We recommend that schools, parents and other support networks should be aware of this important connection and encourage teenagers to prioritize their sleep as a key component of overall health and well-being," says Dr. Marquez.

These findings underscore the importance of addressing sleep issues to support the mental health of young people and that gender is an important factor when considering how sleep and well-being are connected.

More information: Jose Marquez et al, Longitudinal relationships across sleep, physical activity, and mental wellbeing in early-to-mid-adolescence: a developmental cascades investigation, Quality of Life Research (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s11136-025-03894-2

The #BeeWell survey, which made this study possible, continues to provide valuable insights into the lives of young people, informing better policies and practices to improve outcomes. Visit https://beewellprogramme.org to find out more about the program.

Provided by University of Manchester