Effects of Child Behavior Problems on the Development of Preschoolers' Sleep Problems: A Longitudinal Examination
Year: 2012
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Sleep regulation is thought to be an important contributor to the development of behavior problems in children.However, little research has focused on the mechanisms underlying the development of sleep problems in early childhood.The main goal of this study was to examine the direction and strength of the relationship between child sleep problems and behavior problems across the early childhood period (3-6 years).A secondary goal was to examine the role of maternal harsh parenting and child effortful control abilities in the development of associations between sleep and behavior problems.Mothers reported the amount of sleep problems and externalizing behavior problems their children had at ages 3 and 6, as well as their use of harsh parenting strategies.Teachers also reported child externalizing behavior problems at ages 3 and 6.Children's effortful control, an index of early self-regulatory control over attention and impulses, was assessed using both laboratory tasks and maternal ratings.Hierarchical multiple regression and structural equation analyses showed that mother-reported behavior problems at age 3 significantly contributed to sleep problems at age 6.The relationship between teacher-reported behavior problems at age 3 and child sleep problems at age 6 was mediated by early child effortful control.Results support careful consideration of other regulatory problems when diagnosing and treating sleep and behavior problems in young children.
Author: Devon Oosting
Language: English
Topic: Sleep and related disorders
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W121325904