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Testing Reciprocal Links Between Trouble Getting to Sleep and Internalizing Behavior Problems, and Bedtime Resistance and Externalizing Behavior Problems in Toddlers

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Abstract

Sleep problems are associated with problematic adjustment in toddlers, but less is known regarding the direction of association between specific sleep problems and adjustment. To address this gap, we used data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (N = 1001) to examine reciprocal associations between sleep problems and behavior problems from 24- to 36-months. Results from cross-lagged path models suggested specificity of associations between type of sleep problem and behavior problem. Specifically, there were reciprocal associations between trouble getting to sleep and internalizing problems, and unidirectional links between externalizing problems and bedtime resistance from 24- to 36-months. Internalizing and externalizing problems at 24 months, however, predicted increases in bedtime resistance from 24- to 36-months for boys, but not girls. Findings highlight specific relations between sleep problems and internalizing and externalizing problems during toddlerhood, and the importance of examining sex differences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Anne Conway

  2. Columbia Population Research Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Anne Conway & Anahid Modrek

  3. Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Alison L. Miller

  4. Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Alison L. Miller

  5. Developmental Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Anahid Modrek

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  1. Anne Conway
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  2. Alison L. Miller
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  3. Anahid Modrek
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Correspondence to Anne Conway.

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Conway, A., Miller, A.L. & Modrek, A. Testing Reciprocal Links Between Trouble Getting to Sleep and Internalizing Behavior Problems, and Bedtime Resistance and Externalizing Behavior Problems in Toddlers. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 48, 678–689 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-016-0692-x

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