Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 10, 2025

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children
07:01

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children

Published on: March 1, 2019

8.1K

Sleep Characteristics in Italian Children During Home Confinement Due to Covid-19 Outbreak

Valeria Bacaro1,2, Marco Chiabudini2, Carlo Buonanno2

  • 1Human Sciences Department, University of Rome Guglielmo Marconi (Rome, IT).

Clinical Neuropsychiatry
|December 15, 2021
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Child Psychology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread home confinement and social distancing measures.
  • These measures may have adversely affected children's sleep patterns and increased sleep disorders.
  • Sleep disturbances in children can be linked to altered emotional processing.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate clinical aspects of sleep, insomnia, and emotions in Italian children (0-12 years) during COVID-19 home confinement.
  • To identify factors associated with childhood insomnia during this period.

Main Methods:

  • An online survey was distributed across Italy via educational authorities and schools.
  • Parents of children aged 0-12 years completed the survey.
  • Data collected included sociodemographics, sleep habits, sleep behaviors, sleep disorders, and mood.

Main Results:

  • 2361 children participated (mean age 8.1 years).
  • Late bedtimes were common across all age groups (most after 9 p.m.).
  • 59.4% of children met criteria for childhood insomnia, associated with younger age, negative mood, parental insomnia, being an only child, other sleep disorders, and poor sleep hygiene.

Conclusions:

  • An alarming increase in childhood insomnia was observed during COVID-19 confinement in Italy.
  • Insomnia was linked to poor sleep hygiene and negative mood.
  • Clinical programs addressing pediatric insomnia, sleep behaviors, and emotional health are recommended for primary care settings.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19childrenemotionshealthhome confinementinsomniasleepsleep hygiene

More Related Videos

Setup of Consumer Wearable Devices for Exposure and Health Monitoring in Population Studies15:00

Setup of Consumer Wearable Devices for Exposure and Health Monitoring in Population Studies

Published on: February 3, 2023

2.7K
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

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...
479
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...
179
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,...
235
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...
273
Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors01:27

Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurological disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs due to uncomfortable sensations. These sensations typically occur during periods of rest or inactivity, particularly when lying down or sitting, and can severely disrupt sleep.
The exact cause of RLS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate muscle movement. Imbalances in dopamine levels...
283
Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
182