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Updated: Oct 15, 2025

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

Published on: April 26, 2024

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Sleep habits and sleep problems associated with depressive symptoms in school-age children

Jesús Moo-Estrella1, Gloria Arankowsky-Sandoval2, Matilde Valencia-Flores3

  • 1Laboratorio de Sueño y Neurociencias, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico.

Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing : Official Publication of the Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nurses, Inc
|October 24, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Poor sleep habits and problems like nightmares are linked to more depression symptoms in children. Addressing sleep issues may help reduce childhood depression severity.

Area of Science:

  • Child psychology
  • Sleep science
  • Clinical research

Background:

  • Sleep disturbance is a common symptom and contributing factor in depression severity.
  • Understanding the relationship between sleep and depression in children is crucial for effective intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate sleep habits and sleep problems associated with increased depressive symptoms in children.
  • To identify specific sleep-related factors that correlate with depression in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 524 children (51.1% female, average age 10.29 years).
  • Utilized the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and a Sleep Habits and Sleep Problems Questionnaire.
  • Employed linear regression to analyze the relationship between sleep variables and depressive symptoms.

Main Results:

  • 20% of children exhibited symptoms of depression (mean CDI score 12.51).
  • Sleep habits like insufficient sleep duration and inconsistent wake-up times were linked to higher depression scores.
  • Sleep problems including nocturnal awakenings, nightmares, and difficulty waking up also correlated with increased depressive symptoms.

Conclusions:

  • Depressive symptoms in school-aged children are exacerbated by sleep deprivation and parasomnias.
  • Targeting sleep habits and resolving sleep problems may be a viable strategy for managing childhood depression.
Abstract

Keywords:
depressive symptomsschool-age childrensleep habitssleep problems

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