Dataset Information

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 Time 2 were younger age, sleep problems at Time 1, and PTSS, not including sleep items, at Time 1. Examinations of the bidirectional relationship between sleep problems and PTSS indicated that PTSS significantly predicted later sleep problems, but sleep problems did not significantly predict later PTSS.

Conclusions

Findings demonstrate that PTSS may contribute to the development and course of children's sleep problems post-disaster.

SUBMITTER: Lai BS

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

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

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

Lai Betty S BS La Greca Annette M AM Colgan Courtney A CA Herge Whitney W Chan Sherilynn S Medzhitova Julia J Short Mary M Auslander Beth B

Journal of pediatric psychology 20201001 9

<h4>Objective</h4>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.<h4>Methods</h4>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 m ...[more]

PMID: 32885231

Similar Datasets

Project description:ObjectiveTrauma exposure is common in preschool-aged children. Understanding the psychological impact of such exposure and the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in this population is important for provision of appropriate and timely intervention. This pre-registered (PROSPERO: CRD41019133984) systematic review and meta-analysis examined the prevalence of PTSD in trauma-exposed preschool-aged children.MethodLiterature searches were conducted of PubMed (Medline), PsycINFO and PILOTS, alongside reference lists of relevant reviews. Studies were selected if they comprised trauma-exposed samples with a mean age of less than 6.5 years, and PTSD was assessed using standardized interviews at least 1-month post trauma. Information on sample characteristics, trauma exposure, PTSD measurement, and diagnostic criteria were extracted. For studies that applied more than one PTSD diagnostic algorithm, the most age-appropriate criteria were used to estimate pooled prevalence estimate across studies. A random-effects model was used for meta-analysis.ResultsEighteen studies were included (N = 1941). The pooled PTSD prevalence was 21.5% (95% CI = 13.8%-30.4%) when using the most developmentally appropriate diagnostic algorithm that was available. When focusing on the subset of studies that reported both standard adult criteria and age-appropriate criteria (k = 12), a pooled estimate of 4.9% (95% CI = 2.5%-8.0%) was obtained for standard adult criteria (DSM-IV), and 19.9% (95% CI = 12.1%-29.0%) was obtained for age-appropriate criteria (PTSD-AA). Prevalence was 3-fold higher following interpersonal and repeated trauma exposure, compared to non-interpersonal or single-event trauma, respectively. Higher prevalence was found when age-appropriate diagnostic tools were used. There was significant heterogeneity across studies and a lack of studies conducted in low-income countries and applying age-appropriate diagnostic algorithms.ConclusionPreschool-aged children are vulnerable to developing PTSD following trauma exposure. Younger children show prevalence trends similar to those of older youths and adults following different types of trauma. Age-appropriate diagnostic criteria are essential to ensure that appropriate identification and early support are provided.

Dataset Information

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

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

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

Similar Datasets

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