New study in Sweden to explore impact of delayed school start times on students’ mental health and academic performance

A new study in Sweden will investigate the impact of delayed school start times on students’ mental health and academic performance. Although some schools already begin at 9 AM, this research marks the first of its kind in Sweden, according to sleep researcher Malin Jakobsson from Jönköping University.

Previous studies in other countries have reported positive outcomes from later school start times, and Swedish researchers aim to confirm these findings. The study will utilize surveys and in-depth studies throughout the academic year.

Starting in the fall term, students in grades 8 and 9 at Engelbrektskolan in Borås will begin their school day one hour later, at 9 AM. The objective is to analyze how this change affects students’ sleep patterns, mental well-being, and academic achievements. The goal is to support international studies suggesting that an extra hour of sleep can enhance both mental health and academic performance among teenagers.

The research project will be overseen by Malin Jakobsson at Jönköping University. To ensure comparable results, Bodaskolan in Borås will act as a control school, where students will continue starting at the usual time of 8 AM. Approximately 200 to 250 students from each school will participate in the study.