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Association Between Peer Victimization and Parasomnias in Children: Searching for Relational Moderators

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Abstract

This cross-sectional study examined the moderating role of support from three key figures (mothers, teachers, friends) in the association between peer victimization and parasomnias in childhood. The sample consisted of 1150 children aged 8 years who attended elementary school. Controlling for potential confounders, hierarchical multiple regressions revealed that peer victimization was associated with a higher level of parasomnias, equally for both girls and boys. However, for girls, the predictive association of peer victimization with parasomnias was moderated by the level of support in relationships with either their parents, their teachers, or their friends. The findings suggest that somatic symptoms such as sleep problems may be a first indicator that a child is being bullied. Because parents, teachers as well as friends can play a key role in preventing the development of parasomnias, it may be useful to help bullied children develop strong bonds within at least one of these relationships.

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Acknowledgements

The Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development was financed by the Québec Ministry of Health and Social Services, the Institut de la Statistique du Québec, the Québec Ministry of Families and Seniors, the Fonds Québécois de la Recherche sur la Société et la Culture, the Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Quebec at Montreal, Montreal, Canada

    François Bilodeau & Mara Brendgen

  2. University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada

    Frank Vitaro, Sylvana M. Côté, Richard E. Tremblay & Jacques Montplaisir

  3. INSERM U1219, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France

    Sylvana M. Côté

  4. University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Richard E. Tremblay

  5. Center of Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Montreal, Canada

    Dominique Petit

  6. Laval University, Quebec, Canada

    Michel Boivin

  7. Psychology Department, University of Quebec at Montreal, Case Postale 8888, Succursale Centre-ville, Montreal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada

    Mara Brendgen

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  1. François Bilodeau
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Correspondence to Mara Brendgen.

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Bilodeau, F., Brendgen, M., Vitaro, F. et al. Association Between Peer Victimization and Parasomnias in Children: Searching for Relational Moderators. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 51, 268–280 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-019-00928-y

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