Search

Introduction Experiencing one-time traumatic events such as a hurricane is known to produce sleep disturbances that may contribute to the development and maintenance of PTSD symptoms (Mellman, 2019). Additionally, greater exposure to media coverage during and following such events has been shown to contribute to elevated post-traumatic stress (PTS; Shin & Sommers, 2021). However, whether media consumption might moderate the relationship between sleep disturbances and PTS symptoms has not been examined. We examined these relationships in a sample of college students following Hurricane Harvey, an epic storm that hit Texas in 2017 and received non-stop media coverage for an extended period after the storm. Methods Participants were undergraduate students (N=260, M age=21.32) at the University of Houston during Hurricane Harvey. Students answered online surveys 6-8 months following the hurricane that measured sleep quality and PTS symptoms over the last month, and media use both during and immediately following the hurricane. Sleep was assessed using the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and PTS symptoms were assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 with sleep questions removed. Results Results indicated that active media consumption post hurricane was significantly correlated with PTS symptoms (r=.21, p Conclusion Previous research has found both sleep disturbance and greater exposure to media coverage of traumatic events are associated with greater symptoms of PTS. Although media exposure to trauma may impact sleep quality, our findings suggest these factors to exert independent effects on PTS symptoms. Better understanding of the role of media consumption in the aftermath of trauma is needed to understand these relationships. Support (if any)

Introduction As rates and severity of natural disasters increase due to climate change, it is crucial to consider their effects on mental health. Among Hurricane Katrina survivors, stressors experienced following the Hurricane, including financial losses, were more robustly predictive of rates of PTSD than traumatic experiences occurring during the Hurricane (Galea et al., 2008). Because sleep disturbance is intimately associated with trauma exposure and has been implicated in the etiology of PTSD, we examined relationships between experiences during and after Hurricane Harvey (a historic storm that hit Texas in 2017) and sleep disturbance in sample of college students impacted by the storm. Methods Undergraduate students (N = 191, age: M = 21.25, SD = 3.14) at the University of Houston completed online surveys 6-8 months after Hurricane Harvey. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms were measured using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, excluding sleep items. Participants also reported on experiences/events during, immediately after, and in the weeks/months following the Hurricane. Total traumatic experiences during the Hurricane (e.g., thinking oneself or others would get hurt or die) and stressful experiences after the storm (e.g., losing power, damage to car or property) were calculated. Financial stress was examined as a unique predictor. Analyses controlled for total traumatic life events measured with the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5. Results In a multiple linear regression model, we tested whether traumatic experiences during, stressors after, and financial stressors due to the Hurricane predicted global PSQI score, controlling for other traumatic life experiences and total PTS symptoms. The overall model was significant (R2 = 0.22, F (5,185) = 10.48, p < .000). Traumatic experiences during the Hurricane (B = 0.37, p = 0.04), but not stressors (B = 0.02, p = 0.87) or financial stress (B = -0.29, p = 0.67) following the Hurricane significantly predicted poor sleep quality at present. Conclusion Our findings suggest that among a sample of young adult college students impacted by Hurricane Harvey, traumatic experiences during the storm were the most robust predictor of sleep disturbance several months later even after accounting for PTS symptoms. Support (if any)

Introduction An estimated 450,000 children were in the U.S. foster care system in 2019. Early adversity including maltreatment and/or neglect renders this vulnerable population at high risk for negative outcomes, both physical and psychological. Burgeoning evidence suggests that children in foster care develop high rates of sleep disruption. Sleep disruption is associated with negative life outcomes including heart disease, diabetes, and psychiatric disorders. However, there is still a lack of knowledge examining sleep health in children adopted from foster care. Methods Sleep quality and problems were examined among a sample of children adopted from foster care (n = 234) within the past two years, ages 4 to 11 years (M = 5.94, SD = 1.97). Caregivers across the US were invited to complete an anonymous Qualtrics survey via private Facebook groups for foster families. The Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) was completed by foster parents to assess child sleep problems (e.g., nightmares, bedwetting, snoring, etc.) and overall sleep quality. Caregivers endorsed sleep problems and frequency using responses “Never,” “Sometimes,” and “Usually; sleep quality was rated using a Likert scale from 1 = Very Poor to 10 = Excellent. Results Paired-samples t-test compared first month (i.e., when first arrived in the home) and current child sleep quality based on caregiver-report. Sleep quality showed significant improvement since arrival in the foster home; t(233) = 12.98, p < .001, d = 0.85. However, on the CSHQ, 99% of the sample scored above the clinical cutoff for this measure indicating elevated sleep problems. Conclusion Children adopted from foster care show some improvement in sleep quality after achieving permanency. However, these data suggest this population continues to experience clinical levels of sleep problems even after being adopted. Our results suggest a need for specialized intervention services targeting sleep health among children recently adopted from foster care. Support (If Any) None

Introduction A strong association between sleep disturbances and externalizing symptoms has been found among school-aged children. In particular, there is a known association between sleep disturbances, irritability, emotional dysregulation, and hyperactivity (e.g., Coto et al., 2018). Limited research, however, has examined this association in a high-risk population of children, such as those in foster care who are at increased risk for sleep disturbances due to heightened exposure to trauma. Thus, the following study sought to assess the association between sleep quality and externalizing symptoms in a population of children in foster care. Methods Caregivers with children ages 4–11 were sampled from private Facebook community foster care groups across the United States (n = 410). Caregivers were provided a link to a survey powered by Qualtrics where they were asked to report on the children under their care’s weekday bedtime, overall sleep quality (e.g., “Please rate your child’s overall sleep quality over the last two weeks”), and sleep onset (e.g. “On weekdays, how long does it usually take for your child to fall asleep?”). Child behavioral issues were assessed via the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI) Parent Rating Form. Results A linear regression model was utilized to assess if child weekday bedtime, weekday total sleep duration, and overall sleep quality were unique predictors of externalizing symptoms when controlling for age. Results suggest that weekday sleep duration and bedtime were not significant unique predictors of child behavioral issues, though were significantly and positively correlated at the bivariate level (p=.02, p=.04). Sleep onset and overall sleep quality, irrespective of child age, were found to be significant unique predictors of child behavioral issues and accounted for 1% and 11% of the total variance, respectively. Conclusion Results suggest that delayed sleep onset and poorer sleep quality were predictive of increased behavioral issues for children in foster care. Findings persisted when controlling for age, which suggests that children in foster care experiencing sleep disturbances may benefit from more behaviorally focused sleep interventions to improve externalizing behaviors and increase sleep health. Support (if any)

Introduction Electronic media (EM) use has long been associated with poor sleep in children. Children’s use of EM may also be related to emotional distress – anxiety being one of the more prevalent issues, which has been tied to sleep-related problems as well (e.g., Fors & Barch, 2019; Alfano et al., 2007). Children in foster care have often been victims of trauma, which can lead to significant emotional and sleep difficulties (e.g., Kovachy et al., 2013). The Fostering Sleep study examined the association between EM use and sleep among children in foster care; and the additional influence of anxiety. Methods Participants were caregivers of foster care children recruited from private Facebook foster care support groups across the United States. The study used a cross-sectional design examining sleep patterns and behaviors, EM use and mental health among children in foster care. An online survey, hosted by Qualtrics, was distributed to caregivers via Facebook. The data of 443 foster care children between the ages of four and 11 (M=6.37, SD=2.21) were included in the analyses. Results Children in foster care using EM at bedtime go to bed later than those who are not (p Conclusion This preliminary analysis indicates the prevalence of EM use close to bedtime may not necessarily be detrimental to sleep for this population; perhaps activities such as watching one’s favorite programming or talking to a loved one online can be comforting and therefore helpful to sleep onset (Eggermont & Van den Bulck, 2006). However, examination of other factors such as type of technology, content of media, and duration of use is warranted. Moreover, children with anxiety as a primary diagnosis may be using less EM at bedtime because EM use may trigger symptoms of anxiety (i.e., Fors & Barch, 2019). Support (if any)

Introduction Sleep during childhood has a major impact on physiological, psychological, and cognitive development. Limited research has focused on vulnerable populations such as children in foster care. Foster care children endure placement instability, which may contribute to disrupted sleep patterns and unpredictability around bedtime (Leathers, et al., 2019). The Fostering Sleep study examined foster caregivers’ perceptions of children’s sleep challenges and strategies for improving sleep difficulties. Methods Foster caregivers of children ages 4–11 throughout the US were invited to complete the Qualtrics Sleep Health among Children in Foster Care Survey via foster care Facebook groups. The survey included quantitative and qualitative questions focused on sleep patterns and behaviors. Qualitative questions on barriers and opportunities to improve sleep were examined: what helps foster care children sleep well; what kinds of difficulties do foster care children experience at bedtime? Results 483 foster care parents responded. Responses to bedtime difficulties were coded using 27 categories (e.g., parasomnias, bedtime resistance, trouble self-soothing); responses to what helps your child sleep well were coded based on 22 categories (e.g., comfort items, melatonin, TV as in intervention, communication to reassure safety). The most prevalent sleep/bedtime difficulties were fear/anxiety (23.2%), nightmares (19.6%), environment (18.4%). For example, one parent responded: “He fears never waking up. He fears that the sun is not going to come back up. He fears that the bad guys will come get him.” Difficulties varied by age-- 4–5: fear/anxiety, destabilization from call/visit biological parent, nightmares; 6–9: nightmares, fear/anxiety, environment; 10–11: fear/anxiety, nightmares, emotional/behavioral difficulties. Most frequent parenting approaches were bedtime routine (63.0%), reading before bedtime (36.5%), physical reassurance (26.6%). Interventions also varied according to age-- 4–5: routine, reading, physical reassurance; 6–9: routine, reading, noise control; 10–11: routine, technology regulation, reading. Conclusion Foster caregivers reported fear/anxiety as most common bedtime difficulty and physical reassurance as most frequent parenting strategy for healthy sleep. Findings suggest that anxiety and fear often interfere with sleep and, in turn, physical reassurance as a helpful bedtime strategy. Undoubtedly, there is a need for sleep research and preventive interventions for children in foster care. Support (if any) Summer Student Research Support, Loyola University Maryland, College of Arts and Sciences