THE BIDIRECTIONAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SLEEP AND INTERNALISING AND EXTERNALISING BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS DURING THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL YEARS

Abstract

Multiple cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have established the association between child sleep problems and behavioral difficulties. However, the directionality of this association is poorly understood and it is unclear whether sleep problems are differentially associated with different types of behavioral difficulties experienced by children. Understanding this relationship will inform the focus and timing of interventions. We aimed to determine the longitudinal and reciprocal relationships among child sleep difficulties and (i) externalizing, (ii) internalizing and (iii) combined behavior difficulties. Design: Longitudinal data from the first 5 waves of the Longitudinal Study of Au..