A Twin-Study of Sleep Difficulties in School-Aged Children

Tools

Gregory, Alice M.; Rijsdijk, Frühling V. and Eley, Thalia C.. 2006. A Twin-Study of Sleep Difficulties in School-Aged Children. Child Development, 77(6), pp. 1668-1679. ISSN 0009-3920 [Article]

	Other Gregory_CD_2006.DOC - Submitted Version Permissions: GRO Registered Users Only Download (408kB)
	Text Gregory_CD_2006.pdf - Submitted Version Permissions: GRO Registered Users Only Download (143kB)

Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2006.00966.x

Abstract or Description

This study examines frequency, overlap, and genetic and environmental influences on sleep difficulties, which are understudied in school-aged children. The Sleep Self Report and the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire were completed by 300 twin pairs (aged 8 years) and their parents. Child report suggested more frequent sleep problems than parent report (e.g., regular sleep onset delay was reported by 45% of children and 17% of parents). Associations between most of the sleep difficulties were small but significant (e.g., rs=.16 for parent report of bedtime resistance and sleep onset delay). Twin correlations based on parent reports suggest greater genetic influence (M=50%) than those based on child self-report (M=18%). Possible rater effects should be considered when evaluating children's sleep problems.

Item Type:

Article

Identification Number (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2006.00966.x