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Predictors of diagnostically defined insomnia in child and adolescent community samples: a literature review

Jonas Falch-Madsen1, Lars Wichstrøm2, Ståle Pallesen3

  • 1Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, St Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.

Sleep Medicine
|October 14, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Identifying predictors for childhood insomnia is crucial for effective interventions. Poor mental health, female sex, and stress are potential factors influencing persistent insomnia in youth.

Area of Science:

  • Child and Adolescent Psychology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Longitudinal Research

Background:

  • Diagnostically defined insomnia is common and persistent in children and adolescents.
  • Insomnia in youth is linked to various negative health and developmental outcomes.
  • Identifying predictors is essential for developing targeted prevention and treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review longitudinal studies on predictors of diagnostically defined insomnia in children and adolescents (ages 4-19).
  • To synthesize current evidence on factors contributing to the development and persistence of insomnia in youth, adjusting for prior insomnia.
  • To identify potentially modifiable risk factors for intervention.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature search of longitudinal studies.
  • Inclusion criteria: child/adolescent samples (ages 4-19), diagnostically defined insomnia, predictors adjusted for previous insomnia.
  • Data extraction and synthesis from identified studies.

Main Results:

  • Six studies with five samples (n=9949) from five countries were included.
  • Few longitudinal studies exist, and insomnia is infrequently defined using diagnostic manuals.
  • Poor mental health (especially depression) and female sex were suggested predictors.
  • Stress emerged as a potentially modifiable factor.

Conclusions:

  • Limited longitudinal data hinders firm conclusions on insomnia predictors in youth.
  • Poor mental health and female sex may play a role in the etiology of childhood insomnia.
  • Stress represents a promising target for intervention, but further research with replication is needed.

Keywords:
AdolescentsChildrenCommunity samplesDisorders of initiation and maintenance of sleepInsomniaPredictors

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