Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
04:33

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression

Published on: April 26, 2024

660

Associations between sleep problems in children with ADHD and parental insomnia and ADHD symptoms

Upasana Bondopandhyay1, Jane McGrath2, Andrew N Coogan1

  • 1Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Ireland.

Plos One
|May 21, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Parental insomnia significantly impacts children's sleep quality, especially in families with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Addressing parental sleep issues is crucial for improving sleep in children with ADHD.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Family Health

Background:

  • Sleep problems are prevalent in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • Parental sleep issues and ADHD symptoms may influence children's sleep patterns.
  • Bidirectional relationships between parent and child sleep are suspected.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate associations between children's sleep quality and timing with parental insomnia, ADHD symptoms, and dysfunctional sleep beliefs.
  • To identify predictors of sleep problems in pre-adolescent children diagnosed with ADHD.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 120 pre-adolescent children with ADHD and their parents.
  • Parent-reported questionnaires assessed children's sleep quality/timing, parental insomnia, parental ADHD symptoms, and sleep-related beliefs.
  • Multiple regression analysis identified significant predictors of children's sleep quality.

Main Results:

  • 82% of children exhibited signs of a pediatric sleep disorder.
  • Parental insomnia, ADHD symptoms, and dysfunctional beliefs correlated with poorer child sleep quality, anxiety, and parasomnias.
  • Parental insomnia score was the sole significant predictor of children's sleep quality.

Conclusions:

  • Parental insomnia is a key factor affecting sleep quality in children with ADHD.
  • Combined parental ADHD and insomnia symptoms were associated with the poorest child sleep quality.
  • Clinicians should evaluate and address parental sleep problems when treating children with ADHD.

More Related Videos

Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD10:02

Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD

Published on: March 12, 2020

15.7K
The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients05:48

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients

Published on: June 12, 2020

5.7K

Related Concept Videos

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
55
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...
139
Insomnia01:27

Insomnia

Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, and waking up too early without being able to return to sleep. People with insomnia often experience these disruptions at least three nights a week for at least one month. Chronic insomnia, which lasts for at least three months, can lead to increased anxiety, which in turn can worsen sleep difficulties, creating a cycle of sleeplessness and stress.
Multiple factors contribute...
82
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...
84
Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
244
Oppositional Defiant Disorder01:30

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness characterizes Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Symptoms must occur over at least six months, involve interactions with individuals beyond siblings, and meet specific diagnostic criteria to be clinically significant. The disorder affects emotional regulation, social interactions, and behavior, often manifesting early in life and influencing long-term development and functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria and...
24