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Sleep and Negative Affect Across Toddlerhood in the Context of Stress

Jessica F Sperber1, Maureen E McQuillan2, Caroline P Hoyniak3

  • 1Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY USA.

Affective Science
|September 1, 2022
PubMed

Insights

In toddlers, high family stress and poor sleep together predict more negative emotions. Adequate sleep may protect children facing family stress.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Child Health
  • Sleep Science

Background:

  • Negative affect is linked to stress and poor sleep, particularly in early childhood.
  • The interplay between stress, sleep, and negative affect over time needs further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the longitudinal associations between sleep deficits, family stress, and observed negative affect in toddlers.
  • To understand the moderating role of family stress on the relationship between sleep and negative affect.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study of 504 toddlers assessed at 30, 36, and 42 months.
  • Sleep was objectively measured using actigraphy.
  • Family stress was assessed via a cumulative risk index including socioeconomic status, household chaos, and parenting hassles.
  • Negative affect was observed during parent-child free play.

Main Results:

  • Few direct associations were found between sleep deficits and negative affect.
  • Toddlers experiencing both high family stress and poor sleep exhibited the highest levels of negative affect at 30 months.
  • Family stress significantly moderated the association between sleep and negative affect.

Conclusions:

  • Adequate sleep may act as a protective factor for young children in high-stress family environments.
  • Interventions targeting sleep may be beneficial for children experiencing significant family adversity.

Keywords:
LongitudinalNegative affectSleepStressToddlers

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