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Sleep and behavior problems among preschoolers
J V Lavigne1, R Arend, D Rosenbaum
1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Children's Memorial Hospital and Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL 60614, USA. j-lavigne@nwu.edu
Insights
Preschoolers who get less night sleep show more behavior problems and are more likely to have a psychiatric diagnosis. Insufficient sleep is linked to increased total and externalizing behavior issues.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric sleep research
- Child psychology
- Behavioral science
Background:
- Behavioral problems in preschoolers are a significant concern for parents and clinicians.
- Understanding factors influencing child behavior is crucial for early intervention.
- Sleep is a fundamental biological need with potential impacts on development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the amount of sleep and behavior problems in preschool-aged children.
- To determine if reduced sleep duration correlates with increased behavioral issues.
- To explore the relationship between sleep patterns and psychiatric diagnoses in young children.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 510 children aged 2 to 5 years was recruited from private pediatric practices.
- Parental reports were collected on children's nightly and 24-hour sleep duration.
- Regression models, controlling for demographic variables, were employed to analyze sleep and behavior data.
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between less night sleep and the presence of a psychiatric diagnosis (odds ratio = 1.23, p = .026).
- Reduced night sleep and overall 24-hour sleep were significantly linked to higher total behavior problems (p < .0001 and p < .004, respectively).
- Less sleep was also associated with increased externalizing problems on the Child Behavior Checklist (p < .0002 and p < .004).
Conclusions:
- This study indicates a significant relationship between insufficient sleep and behavioral problems in preschoolers.
- Less sleep, both at night and over 24 hours, is associated with increased behavioral difficulties.
- Further research is warranted to establish a causal link between sleep duration and the development of behavior problems.
Abstract:
This study described the relationship between amount of sleep and behavior problems among preschoolers. Participants were 510 children aged 2 to 5 years who were enrolled through 68 private pediatric practices. Parents reported on the amount of sleep their child obtained at night and in 24-hour periods. With demographic variables controlled, regression models were used to determine whether sleep was associated with behavior problems. The relationship between less sleep at night and the presence of a DSM-III-R psychiatric diagnosis was significant (odds ratio = 1.23, p = .026). Less night sleep (p < .0001) and less sleep in a 24-hour period (p < .004) were associated with increased total behavior problems on the Child Behavior Checklist; less night sleep (p < .0002) and less 24-hour sleep (p < .004) were also associated with more externalizing problems on that measure. Further research is needed to ascertain whether sleep is playing a causal role in the increase of behavior problems.