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Within- and between-person associations between 24-hr movement behaviors and irritability in early childhood

Matthew Bourke1, Sophie M Phillips2

  • 1Faculty of Health, School of Exercise and Nutrition Science, Deakin Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University.

Developmental Psychology
|July 13, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Physical activity reduces irritability in young children, while screen time increases it. Promoting active behaviors may support children

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Behavioral Science
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Understanding factors influencing early childhood irritability is crucial for mental health.
  • 24-hour movement behaviors encompass sleep, physical activity, and sedentary time, all impacting development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between daily movement behaviors and irritability in young children.
  • To determine if physical activity, screen time, or sedentary behavior are associated with irritability.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from 1,266 children in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children.
  • Employed 24-hour time-use diaries to record movement behaviors and irritability.
  • Applied Bayesian multilevel compositional data analysis and isotemporal substitution models.

Main Results:

  • Higher physical activity was significantly associated with lower irritability.
  • Increased screen time was linked to higher levels of irritability.
  • Replacing sedentary or screen time with physical activity reduced irritability.

Conclusions:

  • Promoting physical activity in early childhood may be a strategy to mitigate irritability.
  • Movement behaviors play a significant role in the emotional regulation of young children.
  • Interventions focusing on active behaviors could support positive mental health outcomes.

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