Crabtree et al, Jul 2005, Cultural influences on the bedtime behaviors of young children

Reference

Crabtree, V. M., Beal-Korhonen, J., Montgomery-Downs, H. E., Jones, V. F., O'Brien, L. M., & Gozal, D. Cultural influences on the bedtime behaviors of young children. Sleep Medicine, 6(4): 319-324. (2005).

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study was designed to assess potential relationships of race and socioeconomic status (SES) to bedtime behavior from a community sample of 2- to 7-year-old children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A previously validated sleep questionnaire was administered to parents of children enrolled in the Jefferson County, Kentucky school system. The sleep behavior of African-American (n=973) and Caucasian (n=2398) children was analyzed. Median annual income of residential zip codes was used as a proxy for SES. RESULTS: Mean age was 4.8+/-1.1 years. Two composite 'sleep behavior scores' were generated related to excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep-related behavior. Children in the lower SES group had significantly more impaired 'sleep behavior scores' than those in the higher SES group, regardless of race or age. African-American children had later bedtimes than Caucasian children with similar rise times, resulting in significantly shorter sleep duration and more excessive daytime sleepiness, independent of SES and age. CONCLUSIONS: Cultural variables impact sleep-related behavior in children. Race and SES have independent relationships with sleep behavior. Independent of SES, African-American children sleep less due to later bedtimes. SES does play a role, however, in parentally reported sleep-related behavior problems. Thus, cultural variables such as race and SES are important modifiers of sleep behaviors in children and should be addressed in sleep education programs

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Crabtree et al, Jul 2005, Cultural influences on the bedtime behaviors of young children

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