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Sleep changes in Taiwanese first graders before and after school closure during the COVID-19 pandemic
Han-Yi Tsai1,2, Wei-Wen Wu1,3, Chia-Chun Tang1,3
1School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Insights
During the COVID-19 pandemic, first graders experienced later bedtimes but increased total sleep. Parental work changes were linked to more child parasomnia symptoms and less delayed sleep-wake patterns.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Sleep Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to widespread school closures.
- Disruptions in daily routines can significantly impact children's sleep patterns and overall well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sleep changes in first-grade children before and after school closures.
- To explore the relationship between parental work adjustments and children's sleep alterations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Main Methods:
- Observational study involving 103 parents of first-graders.
- Children's sleep habits were assessed using a questionnaire before and after school closure.
- Paired t-tests and general linear models were used for data analysis.
Main Results:
- Children exhibited delayed bedtimes and wake times, yet their total sleep duration increased.
- Parents reporting work rearrangements perceived more child parasomnia symptoms (p=0.029).
- Parental work rearrangement was associated with fewer delayed sleep-wake patterns in children.
Conclusions:
- Children's sleep patterns serve as an indicator of behavioral responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Parents should monitor for parasomnia symptoms amid routine changes.
- Nursing interventions should focus on promoting daytime external cues during home confinement to support healthy sleep.
Purpose:
The objective of this study was (1) to examine sleep changes in first graders before and after school closure and (2) to examine the association between parental work rearrangement and children's sleep change during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Design And Methods:
This was an observational study. The children's sleep habit questionnaire was completed by 103 parents of first-graders before and after school closure. Paired t-test and the general linear model were applied to data analysis.
Results:
Children delayed their bedtime and rising time, but total sleep duration increased. Moreover, parents who rearranged their work during the pandemic perceived more child parasomnia symptoms (p = .029) and less delayed sleep-wake patterns in their children.
Practical Implication:
Sleep is an indicator that reflects children's behavioral changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As routine changes, parents should be aware of child's parasomnia symptoms. Nursing interventions could aim at promoting sufficient external cues in the daytime during home confinement.
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