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Self-reported sleep patterns, sleep problems, and behavioral problems among school children aged 8–11 years

Schlafgewohnheiten, Schlafprobleme und Verhaltensauffälligkeiten bei Schulkindern im Alter von 8–11 Jahren

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Abstract

Objectives

Investigation of sleep patterns, sleep problems, and behavioral problems in 8- to 11-year-old children.

Methods

A total of 330 children (age: M=9.52; SD=0.56; range=8–11 years; 47.3% girls) in the 4th grade of elementary school in Salzburg (Austria) completed a self-report questionnaire (80 items) to survey sleep patterns, sleep problems, and behavioral problems.

Results

Children aged 8–11 years slept approximately 10 h and 13 min on school days (SD=47 min) as well as on weekends (SD=81 min); girls slept significantly longer on weekends than boys. Most common self-reported sleep problems were dryness of the mouth (26.6%), sleep onset delay (21.9%), bedtime resistance (20.3%), and restless legs (19.4%). There was a significant association between watching TV as well as playing computer games prior to sleep with frightful dreams. Daytime sleepiness indicated by difficulty waking up (33.4%) and having a hard time getting out of bed (28.5%) was also very prominent. However, children in Salzburg seemed to be less tired during school (6.6%) or when doing homework (4.8%) compared to other nationalities. Behavioral problems (e.g., emotional symptoms, hyperactivity and inattention, conduct problems, peer problems) and daytime sleepiness were both significantly associated with sleep problems: the more sleep problems reported, the worse behavioral problems and daytime sleepiness were. Moreover, we could show that sharing the bed with a pet was also related to sleep problems.

Conclusions

Self-reported sleep problems among 8- to 11-year-old children are very common. There is a strong relationship between sleep disorders and behavioral problems. Routine screening and diagnosis as well as treatment of sleep disorders in school children should, therefore, be established in the future.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund

Untersuchung von Schlafgewohnheiten, Schlafproblemen und Verhaltensauffälligkeiten bei Schulkindern im Alter von 8–11 Jahren.

Material und Methoden

330 Volksschüler der 4. Klassen in Salzburg (Österreich; Alter im Mittel=9,52; Standardabweichung SD: 0,56; Spanne: 8–11 Jahre; 47,3% Mädchen) nahmen an einer Fragebogenuntersuchung (Selbstbeurteilungsfragebogen; 80 Items) zum Thema Schlafgewohnheiten, Schlafprobleme sowie Verhaltensauffälligkeiten teil.

Ergebnisse

Schulkinder von 8–11 Jahren schlafen sowohl an Schultagen als auch am Wochenende 10 h 13 min (Schultage: SD=47 min; Wochenende: SD=81 min). Mädchen schlafen am Wochenende signifikant länger als Jungen. Am häufigsten werden folgende Schlafprobleme beschrieben: ein trockener Mund (26,6%); eine verzögerte Einschlafdauer (>20 min; 21,9%); Weigerung, ins Bett zu gehen (20,3%); unruhige Beine (19,4%). Kinder, die sich oft oder häufig im Traum fürchten, berichten, dass sie vor dem Schlafengehen Fernsehen oder Computerspielen. Hinsichtlich der Tagesmüdigkeit geben 33,4% an, morgens nur schwer wach zu werden, und 28,5% kommen nur schwer aus dem Bett. Trotzdem sind die österreichischen Kinder im Vergleich zu anderen Nationalitäten tagsüber in der Schule (6,6%) und während der Hausaufgaben (4,8%) relativ selten müde. Sowohl Verhaltensauffälligkeiten (emotionale Probleme, Verhaltensprobleme, Hyperaktivität, Probleme mit Gleichaltrigen) als auch die Tagesmüdigkeit stehen in engem Zusammenhang mit Schlafproblemen: je deutlicher die Schlafproblematik, desto stärker sind sowohl die Verhaltensauffälligkeiten als auch die Tagesmüdigkeit ausgeprägt. Außerdem konnte gezeigt werden, dass Kinder, die ihr Bett mit einem Haustier teilen, schlechter schlafen.

Schlussfolgerung

Schlafprobleme werden von Salzburger Kindern im Alter von 8 bis 11 Jahren häufig beschrieben. Es besteht offensichtlich ein starker Zusammenhang zwischen Schlafproblemen und Verhaltensauffälligkeiten. Vorsorgeuntersuchungen sowie ggf. die Therapie von Schlafstörungen sollten deshalb in Zukunft für Schulkinder eingerichtet werden.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Austrian Science fund (FWF; T397-B02) as well as the ‘Stiftungs- und Förderungsgesellschaft der Paris Lodron Universität’. We would like to thank Donaubauer K. for providing an MS Access® data input tool. Thanks to all of our students who supported us during data acquisition at schools (R. Guttmann, S. Hemmers, K. Hoerzenauer, N. Lassacher, B. Leitner, L. Muehling, M. Roeder, L. Rosenkranz, S. Rudolf, B. Schausberger, K. Weberndorfer, and P. Weberstorfer). Last but not least, we would like to thank all of the children, their parents and teachers as well as the principals of the 15 schools and the local education authority (Mag. Dipl. Päd. Birgit Heinrich, Prof. Mag. Josef Thurner) in Salzburg who participated in our study.

Conflict of interest

The corresponding author states that there are no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Division of Physiological Psychology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020, Salzburg, Österreich

    K. Hoedlmoser & M. Schabus

  2. Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Österreich

    G. Kloesch

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Cologne Porz/Rhein, Cologne, Deutschland

    A. Wiater

Authors
  1. K. Hoedlmoser
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  2. G. Kloesch
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  3. A. Wiater
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  4. M. Schabus
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Correspondence to K. Hoedlmoser.

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Hoedlmoser, K., Kloesch, G., Wiater, A. et al. Self-reported sleep patterns, sleep problems, and behavioral problems among school children aged 8–11 years. Somnologie 14, 23–31 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11818-010-0450-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11818-010-0450-4

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