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Behavioral Sleep Problems in Children and Adolescents

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Abstract

Sleep problems in children and adolescents are common, and they impact multiple domains of child and family functioning. Psychologists have a critical role in the assessment and treatment of sleep problems and are integral to interdisciplinary sleep teams. Certain sleep problems may be related to co-morbid psychological or developmental conditions, and others are considered to be primarily medical, yet behavioral approaches may be applicable. There are also sleep problems considered to be behavioral in etiology (e.g. inadequate sleep hygiene, behavioral insomnia of childhood, nightmares/bad dreams/nighttime fears, delayed sleep phase syndrome, and psychophysiological insomnia). In this article, the assessment of behavioral sleep problems, as well as specific behavioral sleep disorders, and their treatments will be discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Sleep Center, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th St. and Civic Ctr. Blvd., 9NW 50, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Melisa Moore

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  1. Melisa Moore
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Correspondence to Melisa Moore.

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This article is based on a presentation titled “Behavioral Approaches to Childhood Sleep Problems” offered at the Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Centers (APAHC) Conference, “Preparing Psychologists for a Rapidly Changing Healthcare Environment,” March 3–5, 2011, in Boston, MA.

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Moore, M. Behavioral Sleep Problems in Children and Adolescents. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 19, 77–83 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-011-9282-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-011-9282-z

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