Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 7, 2025

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
06:15

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents

Published on: July 10, 2017

12.9K

Sleep Disturbances and Mental Well-Being of Preschool Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mexico

Daniela León Rojas1, Fabiola Castorena Torres1, Salomon Alvarado Ramos1

  • 1Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Ave. Morones Prieto 3000, Monterrey 64710, NL, Mexico.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|March 11, 2023
PubMed

Insights

COVID-19 confinement disrupted preschool children's routines, leading to significant sleep disturbances and mental health challenges. Increased screen time near bedtime worsened these issues, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic and associated confinement measures altered family dynamics and children's daily routines globally.
  • Early research indicated negative impacts on child mental health, including sleep disturbances, necessitating further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess sleep parameters and mental well-being in preschool-aged children (3-6 years) during COVID-19 confinement in Mexico.
  • To identify factors associated with sleep disturbances and mental health issues in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 51 preschool children (mean age 5.2 years).
  • Parental surveys collected data on confinement, routines, and electronics use.
  • Standardized questionnaires assessed children's sleep habits and mental well-being (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire).
  • Objective sleep data was gathered using wrist actigraphy for seven days.

Main Results:

  • A high prevalence of sleep disturbances (68.6%) was observed in preschool children.
  • Use of electronic tablets in the bedroom before sleep was linked to sleep disturbances.
  • Symptoms of mental health deterioration, such as emotional distress and behavioral difficulties, correlated with sleep problems.

Conclusions:

  • Confinement-related routine changes during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected preschool children's sleep and overall well-being.
  • Interventions should be developed to address the specific needs of children at higher risk for sleep and mental health issues.

Keywords:
COVID-19childrenmental healthsleep

More Related Videos

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children07:01

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

Published on: March 1, 2019

8.0K
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

2.6K

Related Concept Videos

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...
141
Stress and Mental Health01:30

Stress and Mental Health

Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
190
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
87
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...
189
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...
307
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,...
204