Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
04:33

Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Published on: April 26, 2024

Sleep-related factors: associations with poor attention and depressive symptoms

J E Lehto1, L Uusitalo-Malmivaara

  • 1Open University, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.

Child: Care, Health and Development
|April 19, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Short sleep duration in children is linked to attention problems and depression. Adverse bedtime behavior and daytime sleepiness are significant predictors of these issues in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Child Psychology
  • Developmental Neuroscience

Background:

  • Previous research links sleep duration to attention deficits and depression in children, primarily in adolescents.
  • Limited studies have simultaneously examined attention problems and depressive symptoms related to sleep in non-clinical child populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between sleep factors and attention/depressive symptoms in 11-year-old children.
  • To identify specific sleep-related predictors of attention problems and depressive symptoms.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized self-report measures to assess sleep quantity, adverse bedtime behavior, and daytime sleepiness.
  • Evaluated attention problems and depressive symptoms in 439 children aged 11 years.

Main Results:

  • Short sleep duration during the school week correlated with poor attention and high depression.
  • Adverse bedtime behavior and daytime sleepiness were significant predictors of attention problems and depressive symptoms.
  • Short sleep duration was not a significant predictor in logistic regression analyses.

Conclusions:

  • Findings support the association between short sleep duration and attention/depressive symptoms in children.
  • Highlights the critical role of adverse bedtime behavior and daytime sleepiness, warranting further investigation.
Abstract

Keywords:
attentionbedtime behaviourdaytime sleepinessdepressive symptomssleep duration

More Related Videos

Eye Tracking, Cortisol, and a Sleep vs. Wake Consolidation Delay: Combining Methods to Uncover an Interactive Effect of Sleep and Cortisol on Memory08:08

Eye Tracking, Cortisol, and a Sleep vs. Wake Consolidation Delay: Combining Methods to Uncover an Interactive Effect of Sleep and Cortisol on Memory

Published on: June 18, 2014

Establishing a Device for Sleep Deprivation in Mice05:05

Establishing a Device for Sleep Deprivation in Mice

Published on: September 22, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation01:13

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
Depressive Disorders: Etiology01:27

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Depression: Overview01:18

Depression: Overview

Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...
Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and  rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Narcolepsy01:07

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by pervasive, uncontrolled sleepiness and other sleep disturbances. One of its hallmark symptoms is an abrupt transition to REM sleep upon falling asleep, which causes symptoms typically associated with this phase to occur unexpectedly during wakefulness. These include the following symptoms, which typically last from a minute or two to half an hour.