Several studies analysed sleep habits and circadian preference (Morningness/ Eveningness, M/E) in adolescents and young adults (for a review, see Giannotti et al., 2005), while few were conducted on children and preadolescents. The aim of the present study is to investigate the developmental changes and to analyse the relationship between sleep habits, sleep problems and circadian preference in a wide sample of youngsters by mean of a school-based survey. Participants were recruited in four randomly selected schools of Rome. One thousand seventy three children and preadolescents (Mean Age = 0.56; D.S = 0.50; Range = 8–14 years; 50.89% Males) completed a slightly modified version of the School Sleep Habits Survey (Wolfson & Carskadon, 1998). The questionnaire includes questions about sleep habits during schooldays and weekends; a Sleepiness Scale; a Sleep-Wake Problems Behaviour Scale; and a morningness/eveningness scale. Return rate was 96.3%. Results showed consistent agerelated changes in sleep habits. Difference in sleep duration between schooldays and weekend grows with age [linear trend: F (1.1065) = 59.2; P < 0.001] as does the preference for the evening [linear trend F (1.1066) = 32.6; P < 0.001]. No significant gender difference in Morningness/Eveningness was found. M/E total scores correlate significantly both with self reported sleep/wake problems (r = -0.39) and daytime sleepiness (r = -0.18), indicating a higher prevalence of sleep complaints in evening type subjects. Results confirm consistent age related change in sleep habits and M/E circadian preference of children and preadolescents, with a reduction of sleep duration during schooldays and with eveningness increasing with age. The relevance of eveningness as a risk-factor for sleep disorders in school students is discussed. References: 1. Giannotti et al. Sleeping habits in Italian children and adolescents. Sleep and Biological Rhythms., 2005, 3: 15–21. 2. Wolfson, A. R. and Carskadon, M. A .Sleep schedules and daytime functioning in adolescents. Child Development., 1998. 69: 875–887.
Violani C., Bruni O., Lucidi F., Russo P.M. (2006). Morningness/eveningness, sleep habits and sleeps disturbances in preadolescents and adolescents.
Morningness/eveningness, sleep habits and sleeps disturbances in preadolescents and adolescents
RUSSO, PAOLO MARIA
2006
Abstract
Several studies analysed sleep habits and circadian preference (Morningness/ Eveningness, M/E) in adolescents and young adults (for a review, see Giannotti et al., 2005), while few were conducted on children and preadolescents. The aim of the present study is to investigate the developmental changes and to analyse the relationship between sleep habits, sleep problems and circadian preference in a wide sample of youngsters by mean of a school-based survey. Participants were recruited in four randomly selected schools of Rome. One thousand seventy three children and preadolescents (Mean Age = 0.56; D.S = 0.50; Range = 8–14 years; 50.89% Males) completed a slightly modified version of the School Sleep Habits Survey (Wolfson & Carskadon, 1998). The questionnaire includes questions about sleep habits during schooldays and weekends; a Sleepiness Scale; a Sleep-Wake Problems Behaviour Scale; and a morningness/eveningness scale. Return rate was 96.3%. Results showed consistent agerelated changes in sleep habits. Difference in sleep duration between schooldays and weekend grows with age [linear trend: F (1.1065) = 59.2; P < 0.001] as does the preference for the evening [linear trend F (1.1066) = 32.6; P < 0.001]. No significant gender difference in Morningness/Eveningness was found. M/E total scores correlate significantly both with self reported sleep/wake problems (r = -0.39) and daytime sleepiness (r = -0.18), indicating a higher prevalence of sleep complaints in evening type subjects. Results confirm consistent age related change in sleep habits and M/E circadian preference of children and preadolescents, with a reduction of sleep duration during schooldays and with eveningness increasing with age. The relevance of eveningness as a risk-factor for sleep disorders in school students is discussed. References: 1. Giannotti et al. Sleeping habits in Italian children and adolescents. Sleep and Biological Rhythms., 2005, 3: 15–21. 2. Wolfson, A. R. and Carskadon, M. A .Sleep schedules and daytime functioning in adolescents. Child Development., 1998. 69: 875–887.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
