Background

Depressive disorders in adolescents affect all aspects of life and impose a very large burden of disease. Sleep is frequently affected by depression and is crucial for facing challenges during development. One of the postulated reasons for depression-induced sleep disruption is dysregulation of the physiological stress system.
Aims

To investigate the links of adolescent depressive disorders with subjective sleep quality, objective sleep quality, and the course of cortisol and alpha-amylase after awakening.
Method

We compared subjective sleep quality (via daily questionnaires) and objective sleep quality (via actigraphy measurement) of 35 adolescents with depressive disorders and 29 healthy controls over 7 consecutive days. In addition, saliva samples were collected on 3 days to examine cortisol and alpha-amylase patterns after awakening.
Results

No significant differences in cortisol or alpha-amylase awakening responses were observed between participants with depressive disorders and healthy controls. We found severe reductions in subjective sleep quality in the depression group (Z = −5.19, P < 0.001, d = 1.80) and a prolonged actigraphy-measured sleep onset latency (Z = −2.42, P = 0.015, d = 0.64) compared with controls. Reductions in subjective sleep quality were partially correlated with objective sleep measures (sleep onset latency: r = −0.270, P = 0.004, sleep efficiency: r = 0.215, P = 0.017).
Conclusions

Sleep onset latency seems to aggravate depressive symptoms and to have an important role in perception of sleep quality. Adolescents with depressive disorders should be supported regarding the establishment of good sleep hygiene and avoiding activities that may impede falling asleep.