Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 18, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
04:33

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression

Published on: April 26, 2024

879

Sleep difficulties and related behavioral problems in Korean preschool children

Taeyeop Lee1, Jichul Kim1, Kee Jeong Park1

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.

Sleep Medicine
|September 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Preschoolers with developmental disabilities (DD) who have sleep difficulties exhibit more externalizing behaviors like aggression. Sleep issues in these children are linked to behavioral problems, not cognitive development.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Sleep difficulties are common in preschoolers and linked to behavioral and cognitive issues.
  • The association between sleep problems and developmental disabilities (DD) requires further investigation in young children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare behavioral and cognitive characteristics of poor and good sleepers among preschoolers with and without DD.
  • To identify specific behavioral and cognitive differences associated with sleep difficulties in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited 196 preschoolers (34-77 months) from various community centers.
  • Classified children into four groups: poor sleepers with DD, poor sleepers without DD, good sleepers with DD, and good sleepers without DD.
  • Defined poor sleepers using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire Total Sleep Disturbance Score (CSHQ TSDS) cutoff of >52.

Main Results:

  • Poor sleepers with DD showed significantly higher attention problems and aggressive behaviors compared to good sleepers with DD.
  • Caregivers of poor sleepers with DD reported increased depressive symptoms and stress.
  • Poor sleepers without DD exhibited higher anxiety/depression scores, but cognitive development and adaptive functioning were similar across all groups.

Conclusions:

  • Sleep difficulties in preschoolers with DD are primarily associated with externalizing behaviors, such as aggression.
  • Cognitive development and adaptive functioning are not significantly impacted by sleep patterns in this age group.
  • Sleep onset delay is a key factor correlating with behavioral issues and caregiver distress.
Abstract

Keywords:
Autism spectrum disorderBehavioral problemsChildren's Sleep Habits QuestionnaireIntellectual disabilityPreschool childrenSleep

More Related Videos

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training06:51

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training

Published on: July 27, 2022

2.1K
Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood08:20

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood

Published on: October 2, 2019

12.1K

Related Concept Videos

Nightmares and Night Terrors01:18

Nightmares and Night Terrors

Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares...
189
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
511
Insomnia01:27

Insomnia

Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, and waking up too early without being able to return to sleep. People with insomnia often experience these disruptions at least three nights a week for at least one month. Chronic insomnia, which lasts for at least three months, can lead to increased anxiety, which in turn can worsen sleep difficulties, creating a cycle of sleeplessness and stress.
Multiple factors contribute...
188
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...
296
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep01:24

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
240
Conduct Disorder01:28

Conduct Disorder

Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...
182