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Sleep problems and mental health in primary school new entrants: Cross-sectional community-based study.
- Source :
-
Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health . Dec2012, Vol. 48 Issue 12, p1076-1081. 6p. 3 Charts. - Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- Aims: To determine at school entry (i) the prevalence and types of child sleep problems; (ii) sleep difficulties and hygiene practices associated with sleep problems; and (iii) their associations with child health-related quality of life, mental health and parent mental health. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional community-based study at 22 primary schools in Melbourne, Australia. One thousand five hundred and twelve (70%) parents of children in the first 6 months of the child's first year of primary school took part. Parent report of child sleep problems (none, mild, and moderate/severe); sleep difficulties; pre-bedtime activities (television in bedroom, television or electronic games before bedtime, television or electronic games >2 h/day) and caffeine intake; child mental health (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), health-related quality of life (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory); and parent mental health (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21). Results: 38.6% of children had a parent-reported sleep problem (27.9% mild, 10.8% moderate/severe). Sleep problems were characterised by problematic sleep difficulties but not poor sleep hygiene practices. Moderate/severe sleep problems were associated with poorer child mental health (mean difference −0.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) −1.1 to −0.5, P < 0.001), health-related quality of life (mean difference −9.9; 95% CI −11.9 to −7.9, P < 0.001) and parent mental health (mean difference 9.8; 95% CI 7.7-11.9, P < 0.001). Conclusions: In new school entrants, sleep problems are common and associated with poorer child mental health, health-related quality of life and parent mental health. Future research needs to determine if systematically addressing sleep problems improves these outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *CHILD psychology
*PRIMARY schools
*CROSS-sectional method
*MENTAL health
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10344810
- Volume :
- 48
- Issue :
- 12
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 84087571
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1754.2012.02466.x