Paediatrics Publications
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2010
Journal
Journal of Pediatric Psychology
Volume
35
Issue
7
First Page
790
Last Page
799
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1093/jpepsy/jsp097
Abstract
Objectives Examine the contribution of sleep problems and indicators of inadequate sleep to psychopathology among children after accounting for shared risk and comorbid psychopathology. Methods Secondary analyses of cross-sectional data on 4- to 11-year-old (N = 1,550) children without chronic illness or developmental delay or disability. Parents provided information about sleep problems, indicators of inadequate sleep, symptoms of psychopathology, and risk factors for psychopathology. Teachers provided information about indicators of inadequate sleep and symptoms of psychopathology. Results Adjusting for risk factors and comorbid psychopathology, sleeping more than other children was related to parent-rated aggression. Nightmares and trouble sleeping were related to parent-rated anxious/depressed mood. Sleep problems were not related to attention problems. Being overtired was related to parent- and teacher-rated psychopathology. Conclusions Relations among sleep problems, indicators of inadequate sleep, and psychopathology are complex; accounting for potential confounding variables and considering sleep variables separately may clarify these relations. © 2009 The Author. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved.