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Longitudinal association of nighttime sleep duration with emotional and behavioral problems in early childhood: results from the Danish Healthy Start Study

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Version 2 2024-06-04, 07:56
Version 1 2020-09-21, 15:22
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posted on 2024-06-04, 07:56 authored by Miaobing ZhengMiaobing Zheng, A Rangan, NJ Olsen, BL Heitmann
Study Objectives To examine the longitudinal and bidirectional association between nighttime sleep duration and emotional and behavioral problems (EBPs) over 15 months among preschool children. Methods Data of children aged 2 to 6 years from the control group of the Danish Healthy Start Study, a 15-month obesity prevention intervention, were used. Nighttime sleep duration was measured using a 7-day sleep record. EBPs were assessed by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire Total Difficulties (SDQ-TD) score and Prosocial Behavior (SDQ-PSB) score. Multivariable regression models were conducted to examine the bidirectional associations between changes in nighttime sleep duration and SDQ scores. Results With adjustment for child, family factors, and parental stress level, every hour extra nighttime sleep at baseline was associated with a 1.02 decrease in SDQ-TD score and 77% lower odds of having an abnormal SDQ-TD score (≥90th percentile) at the follow-up (p = 0.01). Children who increased their nighttime sleep duration over the 15-month demonstrated a similar concurrent reduction in SDQ-TD score (β = −1.28, p = 0.02) compared with those who decreased or had no change in nighttime sleep duration. After additional adjustment for sleep problem and habit variables, the significant associations remained. No associations were found between nighttime sleep duration and SDQ-PSB scores. Examination of SDQ scores as predictors of subsequent changes in nighttime sleep duration showed no significant associations. Conclusions Among preschool children, longer nighttime sleep duration was associated with a decline in EBPs, but not vice versa. Our study provides new longitudinal evidence to support sleep interventions to improve EBPs in early childhood. Clinical trials: The Healthy Start Study: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01583335 Trial registration: ID NCT01583335

History

Journal

Sleep

Volume

44

Pagination

1-10

Location

Oxford, Eng.

Open access

  • Yes

ISSN

0161-8105

eISSN

1550-9109

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Issue

1

Publisher

Oxford University Press

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