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Sleepwalking through School: New Evidence on Sleep and Academic Performance

Author

Listed:
  • Wang, Kurt

    (San Diego State University)

  • Sabia, Joseph J.

    (San Diego State University)

  • Cesur, Resul

    (University of Connecticut)

Abstract

Policymakers advocating for later school starting times argue that increased sleep duration may generate important schooling benefits. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, this study examines the relationship between sleep duration and academic performance, while carefully controlling for difficult-to-measure characteristics at the family- and individual-levels. We find that increased sleep time is associated with improvements in classroom concentration as well as increased educational attainment. However, we also find evidence of diminishing returns to increased sleep. We estimate an "academic optimum" number of sleep hours of, on average, 8.5 hours per night. Turning to sleep quality, we find that the onset of insomnia-like symptoms is associated with diminished contemporaneous academic concentration, but little change in longer-run educational attainment.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Kurt & Sabia, Joseph J. & Cesur, Resul, 2016. "Sleepwalking through School: New Evidence on Sleep and Academic Performance," IZA Discussion Papers 9829, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp9829
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    File URL: https://docs.iza.org/dp9829.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    7. Lechner, Michael & Felfe, Christina & Steinmayr, Andreas, 2011. "Sports and Child Development," CEPR Discussion Papers 8523, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
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    9. Scott E. Carrell & Teny Maghakian & James E. West, 2011. "A's from Zzzz's? The Causal Effect of School Start Time on the Academic Achievement of Adolescents," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 3(3), pages 62-81, August.
    10. repec:iza:izawol:journl:y:2015:p:181 is not listed on IDEAS
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    Cited by:

    1. Regina Hamre & Otto Robert Frans Smith & Oddrun Samdal & Ellen Haug, 2022. "Gaming Behaviors and the Association with Sleep Duration, Social Jetlag, and Difficulties Falling Asleep among Norwegian Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-14, February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    insomnia; schooling; human capital; sleep;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior

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