Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Monograph

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Psychology

Supervisor

Reid, Graham

Abstract

Sleep disturbances in children and adolescents (hereafter children) are associated with significant short-term and long-term impairments including more severe psychopathology, reduced cognitive functioning, and poorer general health. We know that children being treated in specialty mental health services are more likely to have sleep disturbances than community samples. We also know that relationships exist between sleep and psychopathology in children with specific disorders (e.g. ADHD, depression, etc.). However, few studies have investigated the relationship between sleep and psychopathology in a broad sample of children seen at mental health agencies. Both child factors and family factors may influence both sleep and psychopathology. For example, family dysfunction and poor parenting practices have been associated with both increased sleep disturbances and psychopathology. This study aimed to examine individual child factors (e.g., age, sex, sensory sensitivity, pain) and family factors (e.g., family functioning, caregiver distress, lack of parenting strengths) along with sleep disturbances in relation to internalizing (e.g., depression, anxiety) and externalizing (e.g., attention-deficit/hyperactivity, conduct disorder) symptoms. The relationship between sleep and psychopathology may change as children move through developmental phases marked by structural and organizational changes in sleep-wake patterns and psychopathology prevalence. Thus, age was examined as moderator of the relationship between sleep and psychopathology.

Summary for Lay Audience

Sleep disturbances in children and adolescents (hereafter children) are associated with significant difficulties in childhood and adulthood including poorer mental health, poorer intellectual abilities, and worse general health. We know there is a relationship between sleep and psychopathology in children with specific disorders (e.g. ADHD, depression). We also know that children being treated in specialty mental health services are more likely to have sleep disturbances than typical children in the community. However, few studies have looked at the relationship between sleep and psychopathology in a broad sample of children being treated at mental health agencies. Both individual child and family factors can influence both sleep and psychopathology. For example, family dysfunction and poor parenting practices may be related to worse sleep disturbances and psychopathology. In this study, we looked at child factors (e.g., age, sex, sensory sensitivity, pain) and family factors (e.g., family functioning, caregiver distress, lack of parenting strengths) along with sleep disturbances in relation to two categories of psychopathology, internalizing symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety) and externalizing symptoms (e.g., attention-deficit/hyperactivity, conduct disorder). We also know that the relationship between sleep and psychopathology may change as children move through developmental phases marked by changes in sleep-wake patterns and psychopathology prevalence. Thus, we also considered how the relationship between sleep and psychopathology changes with age.

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