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Bidirectional associations between sleep and anxiety among Chinese schoolchildren before and after the COVID-19

Zhuo Wang1, Binxue Hong2, Ya Su3

  • 1Department of Chronic and Non-Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Sichuan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu, China.

Scientific Reports
|September 18, 2024
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 lockdown negatively impacted children's sleep and anxiety. Both anxiety and shorter sleep duration before the lockdown predicted worse outcomes during it, showing a bidirectional link.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Epidemiology
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges to children's mental health.
  • Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on child well-being is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on sleep duration and anxiety in Chinese school-aged children.
  • To examine the bidirectional relationship between sleep and anxiety before and during the lockdown.

Main Methods:

  • A school-based longitudinal cohort study involving 7681 children.
  • Data collected via two survey waves (January-May 2020).
  • Statistical analyses included generalized estimating equations and cross-lagged analysis.

Main Results:

  • Lockdown led to significant decreases in daily exercise, anxiety symptoms, and sleep duration.
  • Higher anxiety scores and shorter sleep duration showed a bidirectional association.
  • Factors like age, school level, and anxiety scores influenced sleep duration.

Conclusions:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic created longitudinal, bidirectional links between children's anxiety and sleep.
  • Mental health services and sleep education are vital components of school curricula during health crises.

Keywords:
AnxietyCOVID-19ChildrenChinaCohortSleep

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