Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2025

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling

Published on: October 11, 2018

Characterization of sleep difficulties in maltreated children and adolescents

Elisa Fucà¹, Silvia Guerrera², Stefania Falvo²

¹Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy. elisa.fuca@opbg.net.

European Journal of Pediatrics

|August 12, 2024

Insights

Child maltreatment is linked to sleep problems, affecting daily functioning and mental health. Improving sleep quality in maltreated children can enhance their resilience and overall well-being.

Area of Science:

Child Psychology
Sleep Medicine
Trauma Studies

Background:

Child maltreatment is associated with sleep disturbances.
Limited research explores specific sleep profiles and their impact on functioning in maltreated youth.
Understanding these links is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the prevalence of sleep disturbance profiles in maltreated children and adolescents.
To explore variations in sleep disorders based on sex, age, and maltreatment type.
To examine the relationship between sleep disturbances and psychopathological/adaptive functioning.

Main Methods:

Retrospective file review of 91 children and adolescents (ages 6-17) with a history of maltreatment.
Assessment of sleep difficulties using the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children.
Evaluation of cognitive, adaptive, emotional, and behavioral features.

Main Results:

Difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep was most common.
Adolescents reported more daytime somnolence than younger children; minimal sex differences were noted.
Children with sleep difficulties showed increased anxiety symptoms and poorer global functioning.

Conclusions:

Sleep disturbances are prevalent in maltreated youth and linked to poorer functioning.
Practitioners should provide tailored sleep support for child maltreatment victims.
Enhancing sleep quality may foster resilience in this vulnerable population.

Read full analysis

Abstract:

Numerous studies have identified connections between child maltreatment and sleep-related issues. However, poor is known on potential links between sleep patterns and day-to-day functioning, along with psychopathology in maltreated youths. Additionally, existing research on the relationship between sleep difficulties and maltreatment often lacks investigation into specific sleep difficulty profiles across different age ranges. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of diverse sleep disturbance profiles in a sample of maltreated children and adolescents, exploring distinct sleep disorder profiles based on sex, age, and the type of maltreatment experienced. Potential variations in adaptive and psychopathological profiles between maltreated children with and without sleep disturbances were also explored. This retrospective study included 91 children and adolescents (56% males, 44% females), aged 6 to 17, with a history of maltreatment (physical maltreatment, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, or neglect), referring for a neuropsychiatric and psychological evaluation at a pediatric hospital. Data were obtained through a retrospective file review. Sleep difficulties were measured through the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children; cognitive abilities, adaptive skills, and emotional and behavioral features were also investigated. Among maltreated youth, difficulties in initiating and maintaining sleep were the most frequently observed by caregivers. Poor sex differences emerged, whereas adolescents exhibited more daytime somnolence than school-age children. Children with sleep difficulties exhibited more anxiety symptoms and worse global functioning in comparison with children without sleep difficulties.Conclusion: Considering the vital impact of sleep quality on healthy development, practitioners should offer tailored services to child maltreatment victims. Enhancing the sleep quality of these children could help foster their resilience.

Keywords:

Abuse Dysregulation profile Insomnia Neglect Physical violence

More Related Videos

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

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

Published on: April 26, 2024

A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice

A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice

Published on: September 22, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Nightmares and Night Terrors

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...

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

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...

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

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...

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

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,...

Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking

Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking

Somnambulism, commonly known as sleepwalking, involves individuals engaging in activities ranging from simple walking to more complex behaviors such as driving. Sleepwalking typically occurs during the slow-wave sleep stages 3 and 4 early in the night when the person is not dreaming, contradicting the myth that sleepwalkers are acting out their dreams.
Factors that increase the likelihood of sleepwalking include sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption. Contrary to common beliefs, it is safe...

Insomnia

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...

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Fostering inclusion in clinical and research procedures in autistic youth through augmentative and alternative communication: a narrative review and a proposal for visual aids application in brain stimulation.

Frontiers in psychiatry·2026

Bridging autism and eating disorders: a scoping review on repetitive and restrictive behavioral patterns.

Journal of eating disorders·2026

Pattern of Oculomotor Findings in Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Relation to Methylphenidate Treatment.

Journal of clinical medicine·2026

Physical health and the complex role of PTSD symptoms in obesity: evidence from an Italian cohort of maltreated children and adolescents.

Frontiers in public health·2026

Sleep problems in autistic children and adolescents: an age-stratified approach.

Frontiers in psychology·2026

Efficacy of bumetanide for cognitive improvement in children and adolescents with Down syndrome: study protocol of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BMJ open·2026

See all related articles