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Associations between sleep problems and emotional/behavioural difficulties in healthy children and adolescents

Theresa Fulfs1, Tanja Poulain2,3, Mandy Vogel2,3

  • 1LIFE Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Leipzig University, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 27, 04103, Leipzig, Germany. theresa.fulfs@outlook.de.

BMC Pediatrics
|January 5, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Children's sleep disturbances are linked to emotional and behavioral issues. This study found significant associations between specific sleep problems, like daytime sleepiness and parasomnias, and difficulties such as hyperactivity and emotional problems.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Psychology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Background:

  • Sleep disturbances are common in children and adolescents.
  • Emotional and behavioral difficulties significantly impact child development.
  • Understanding the link between sleep and behavior is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize sleep disturbances and emotional/behavioral difficulties in German children and adolescents (3-13 years).
  • To examine the association between parent-reported sleep problems and emotional/behavioral issues.
  • To identify specific sleep disturbances linked to distinct behavioral difficulties.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from 1101 children and adolescents (3-13 years) within the LIFE Child study (Germany, 2011-2015).
  • Assessed sleep disturbances using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ).
  • Evaluated emotional/behavioral difficulties with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ); employed multiple regressions for analysis.

Main Results:

  • A positive association was found between total CSHQ scores and total SDQ scores, including all SDQ subscales.
  • Most CSHQ subscales correlated with SDQ subscale scores, with notable exceptions for hyperactivity/inattention and conduct problems.
  • Daytime sleepiness, sleep duration, and parasomnias showed the strongest links to overall emotional/behavioral difficulties (SDQ total score).

Conclusions:

  • Confirms a significant association between sleep habits and psychological health in children and adolescents.
  • Demonstrates a clear link between sleep problems and emotional/behavioral difficulties in a large, healthy sample.
  • Highlights specific associations: parasomnias with hyperactivity/inattention, and emotional problems with daytime sleepiness, sleep anxiety, and parasomnias.
Abstract

Keywords:
AdolescentsCSHQChildrenSDQSleep problems

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