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Exploring the Relationship of Sleep, Screen Time, and Physical Activity With Deficient Emotional Self-regulation in

David Laux1, Natalie Deux, Johanna Schoppmann

  • 1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, LWL University Hospital, Hamm, Germany.

Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics : JDBP
|August 3, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Sleep problems are strongly linked to deficient emotional self-regulation (DESR) in children, especially those with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Addressing sleep issues may be key for managing DESR in pediatric populations.

Area of Science:

  • Child psychology
  • Pediatric behavioral health
  • Sleep science

Background:

  • Deficient emotional self-regulation (DESR) is a concern in children.
  • Lifestyle factors like sleep, screen time, and physical activity may influence DESR.
  • Understanding these associations is crucial for children with and without ADHD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between sleep problems, screen time, physical activity, and DESR.
  • To compare these associations in children with and without ADHD.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 74 children (6-10 years old), including 43 with ADHD.
  • DESR assessed via Child Behavior Checklist subscales.
  • Parent-reported data on sleep, screen time, and physical activity.

Main Results:

  • Children with ADHD had more sleep problems and higher screen time.
  • Sleep problems were significantly associated with DESR, independent of ADHD diagnosis.
  • Screen time showed a correlation but not independent association with DESR.
  • Physical activity was not associated with DESR.

Conclusions:

  • Sleep problems demonstrate the strongest association with DESR, particularly in children with ADHD.
  • Sleep emerges as a critical target for clinical intervention.
  • Further longitudinal research with objective measures is recommended to confirm causality.
Abstract

Keywords:
ADHDchildrendeficient emotional self-regulationemotional dysregulationphysical activityscreen timesleep

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