De rol van slaapduur in de relatie tussen slaapproblemen en het gedrag van kinderen

Sleep problems in children are common and can affect their health. This study examined whether sleep duration mediates the association between sleep problems and behavioral problems in children from nine to eleven years. The study consisted of a research among a group of 482 children, 220 boys and 260 girls (two unknown). The mean age of the children was 10.5 years (SD = 0.83). Their parents were asked to fill out the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), which were used to measure sleep disturbances and internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems of the children respectively. In addition, parents kept an online sleep diary for a week to collect information about the sleep duration of the child. Regression analyses showed a significant association between sleep problems and both internalizing (β = .24) and externalizing behavioral problems (β = .26), as well as a significant negative association between sleep...Show moreSleep problems in children are common and can affect their health. This study examined whether sleep duration mediates the association between sleep problems and behavioral problems in children from nine to eleven years. The study consisted of a research among a group of 482 children, 220 boys and 260 girls (two unknown). The mean age of the children was 10.5 years (SD = 0.83). Their parents were asked to fill out the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), which were used to measure sleep disturbances and internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems of the children respectively. In addition, parents kept an online sleep diary for a week to collect information about the sleep duration of the child. Regression analyses showed a significant association between sleep problems and both internalizing (β = .24) and externalizing behavioral problems (β = .26), as well as a significant negative association between sleep problems and sleep duration (β = -.21). Sleep duration and - both internalizing and externalizing - behavioral problems were not significantly related. The results therefore suggest that sleep duration did not mediate the association between sleep problems and behavioral problems. The overall findings highlight the importance that parents should be aware of sleep problems underlying the behavioral problems of their child. Besides, sleep problems may serve as a warning for a higher risk of developing behavior problems. The findings of this study may be useful in interventions to treat, control or prevent sleep and behavioral problems. It should however be noted that other factors could influence the association between sleep problems and behavioral problems and more research is needed to further explore this association.Show less

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De rol van slaapduur in de relatie tussen slaapproblemen en het gedrag van kinderen