Final answer:
The answer is c) Teenagers; adults; increased, as sleep disturbances are more prevalent among teenagers, leading to increased risks in several aspects of their development and health.
Step-by-step explanation:
In general, the correct answer to the question is c) Teenagers; adults; increased. Studies have shown that teenagers often experience more sleep disturbances than adults, which can lead to an increased risk for poor academic performance and heightened physical, social, and emotional problems. This vulnerability in teenagers can be attributed to various factors, including the stress of the pubertal transition, the impact of social media, and the tendency to engage in riskier behaviors, possibly due to their brain development stage.
Specifically, the question emphasizes that sleep disturbances can bring on depression-like symptoms, increased levels of stress, and impairments in cognitive function, issues that are particularly relevant in adolescents. Moreover, teenagers who are sleep-deprived might have additional challenges coping with significant life stresses, such as adjusting to the demands of high school, social pressure, and for some, even the challenges of teenage parenthood. When sleep deprivation is present, it not only affects their alertness but also their physical health, increasing the risk of problems like obesity, high blood pressure, and compromised immune function.