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Behavioral Sleep Problems and their Potential Impact on Developing Executive Function in Children

Kathryn Turnbull1, Graham J Reid, J Bruce Morton

  • 1Department of Psychology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.

Sleep
|July 2, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Common childhood sleep problems, like bedtime resistance, may impact developing executive functions (EF). Poor self-regulation linked to sleep loss highlights EF

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Bedtime resistance and night waking are prevalent childhood sleep issues.
  • Existing research often overlooks the developmental context of these sleep problems.
  • Sleep disruptions can affect neurobehavioral and daytime functioning.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the developmental trajectories of sleep and executive functioning (EF) in children.
  • To explore the potential vulnerability of EF to childhood sleep problems.
  • To propose a research agenda focusing on a developmental approach to sleep and EF.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on childhood sleep development and executive function.
  • Analysis of the relationship between sleep problems and self-regulation.
  • Conceptual framework linking sleep loss, self-regulation, and EF development.

Main Results:

  • Executive functioning (EF) may be particularly susceptible to sleep problems due to its extended maturation period.
  • Behavioral issues associated with sleep problems indicate impaired self-regulation.
  • Developing EF skills are crucial for effective self-regulation.

Conclusions:

  • A developmental perspective is crucial for understanding the impact of childhood sleep problems on EF.
  • Future research should integrate sleep, EF, and self-regulation within a developmental framework.
  • Addressing sleep problems may be vital for supporting healthy EF development in children.

Keywords:
Bedtime problemsbehavioral insomnia of childhoodchild developmentneurobehavioral functioningnight wakings

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