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Cultural influences on the bedtime behaviors of young children

Valerie McLaughlin Crabtree1, Jessica Beal Korhonen, Hawley E Montgomery-Downs

  • 1Division of Pediatric Sleep Medicine and Kosair Children's Hospital Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 571 S. Floyd St., Ste. 439, Louisville, KY 40202, USA. valerie.crabtree@louisville.edu

Sleep Medicine
|June 28, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Race and socioeconomic status (SES) significantly impact children's sleep behaviors. Lower SES is linked to poorer sleep, while African-American children experience shorter sleep durations due to later bedtimes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Sociodemographic Factors in Child Health

Background:

  • Childhood sleep behaviors are influenced by various factors.
  • Understanding the role of race and socioeconomic status (SES) in pediatric sleep is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between race, socioeconomic status (SES), and bedtime behaviors in young children.
  • To identify how race and SES independently and interactively affect children's sleep.

Main Methods:

  • A validated sleep questionnaire was administered to parents of children aged 2-7 years.
  • Race (African-American, Caucasian) and socioeconomic status (SES) (using median zip code income) were analyzed.
  • Sleep behavior scores were generated for excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep-related behaviors.

Main Results:

  • Children from lower SES backgrounds exhibited significantly more impaired sleep behavior scores compared to higher SES groups.
  • African-American children had later bedtimes than Caucasian children, leading to shorter sleep duration and increased daytime sleepiness, independent of SES.
  • Socioeconomic status (SES) was independently associated with parentally reported sleep-related behavior problems.

Conclusions:

  • Race and SES are significant, independent factors influencing children's sleep patterns and behaviors.
  • Cultural variables, including race and SES, play a critical role in modifying sleep in children.
  • Sleep education programs should consider race and SES to effectively address sleep-related issues in children.
Abstract

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