Sleep Problems and Posttraumatic Stress: Children Exposed to a Natural Disaster.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Sleep plays a critical role in children's growth and development. This study examined the frequency and persistence of children's sleep problems following a natural disaster, risk factors for children's sleep problems, and the bidirectional relationship between children's sleep problems and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) over time.

Methods

This study assessed 269 children (53% female, M = 8.70 years, SD = 0.95) exposed to Hurricane Ike at 8 months (Time 1) and 15 months (Time 2) post-disaster. Children completed measures of hurricane exposure and related stressors, stressful life events, sleep problems, and PTSS.

Results

Children's sleep problems were significantly correlated from Time 1 to Time 2 (r = .28, p < .001). Risk factors for sleep problems at

SUBMITTER: Lai BS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7778448 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature