The developmental changes occurring during adolescence include psychological as well as organic factors and their nature and rapidity are striking. Modifications in sleeping patterns with chronologic age have been well documented and have been related to greater social pressures, as well as normal ontogenetic trends. Several studies have suggested that adolescents, despite an increasing physiological need for sleep, tend to sleep less with age (Simonds & Parrega, 1982; Carskadon, 1990a; Andrade, Benedito-Silva, Domenice, Amhold, & Menna-Barreto, 1993). The sleep-wake cycle tends to become delayed, and many adolescents may experience sleep phase delay syndrome with insufficient sleep (Carskadon, Vieira, & Acebo, 1993). The consequences of chronic insufficient sleep are numerous: daytime sleepiness, mood and behavioral problems, negative effects on daytime functions such as poor school achievement, greater risk of severe accidents, and increased vulnerability to psychoactive substance abuse. Furthermore, in adolescent years expanding social opportunities, including academic demands, changing parent-child relationship, and changing life habits, may also affect the development of adolescent sleep patterns.

Despite the fact that very few epidemiological studies comparing sleep habits in different countries have been conducted, it has been hypothesized that ethnic and sociocultural factors may influence sleep patterns and habits, too (Strauch & Meier, 1988). Although the importance of healthy sleeping habits in this age group has been pointed out in other countries, this topic has not received adequate interest in Italy.