Publication date: Sep 26, 2024

This study gathered adolescent and caregiver perspectives on sleep hygiene practices and beliefs for Black families living in low-resourced urban communities. Semistructured interviews were conducted with adolescents (n = 9) and caregivers (n = 9) from January-March 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interview questions included adolescent’s current sleep habits, barriers, and home and neighborhood influences. Trained researchers coded data using inductive analysis and a constant comparative method to derive themes. Two themes focused on sleep hygiene practices, including items used to facilitate sleep (e. g., melatonin, electronics) and COVID-19 consequences on sleep schedules. Two themes focused on sleep hygiene beliefs, including a common value on the importance of sleep and influences on caregiver’s bedtime rules. Findings provide important insights on sleep hygiene practices and beliefs in a historically marginalized population of Black adolescents and caregivers in urban communities to inform targeted sleep interventions, policies, and programs for optimal sleep and well-being.

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Original Article