A review of interventions for adolescents with insomnia and the role of the educational and child psychologist: when sleep does not come easily
Abstract The role of an educational and child psychologist involves the promotion of mental health and wellbeing. While adolescents who have insomnia are usually referred to Primary Healthcare services, it might be argued that insomnia can be seen as a barometer of psychological wellbeing and should warrant a psychological intervention. A search of PSYCHINFO and Medline revealed that interventions carried out thus far with adolescents who have difficulty initiating and/or maintaining quality sleep include Sleep Hygiene and Sleep Education, Cognitive Behavioural and Multi Component interventions. In this review it will be posited that using multi modal approaches which are tailored to specific needs may have the most positive outcomes in the treatment of insomnia, by helping adolescents to develop a sense of self efficacy and emotional regulation in the context of family and peer support. Educational and child psychologists are ideally placed to offer this type of input to adolescents with insomnia.