The relation between peer victimization and sleeping problems: A meta-analysis

Mitch van Geel; Anouk Goemans; Paul H Vedder

doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2015.05.004

The relation between peer victimization and sleeping problems: A meta-analysis

Sleep Med Rev. 2016 Jun:27:89-95. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2015.05.004. Epub 2015 Jun 2.

Authors

Mitch van Geel¹, Anouk Goemans², Paul H Vedder²

Affiliations

¹ Leiden University, Department of Child and Adolescent Studies, The Netherlands. Electronic address: mgeel@fsw.leidenuniv.nl.
² Leiden University, Department of Child and Adolescent Studies, The Netherlands.

PMID: 26140869
DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2015.05.004

Abstract

Peer victimization has been found related to sleeping problems in children and adolescents in multiple studies. The aim of the current meta-analysis is to study the relation between peer victimization and sleeping problems. The databases PsycINFO, MEDLINE, ERIC, Embase and LILACS were searched for articles. There were 21 articles that met the criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. These 21 articles contained 46 independent effect sizes and 363,539 children and adolescents, ranging in age from 7 up to 19 y of age. Results revealed that peer victimization is related to more sleeping problems. These results were not affected by publication bias. Moderator analyses revealed that for younger children the relation between peer victimization and sleeping problems was stronger than for older children. Results suggest that sleeping problems may be used as a possible signal that a child is victimized by peers.

Keywords: Adolesscents; Bullying; Children; Insomnia; Peer victimization; Sleeping problems.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior / psychology
Bullying
Child
Child Behavior / psychology
Crime Victims / psychology*
Humans
Peer Group*
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / etiology*