Latent Profiles of Sleep Disturbance and Impairment in Elementary School-Age Youth: Concurrent and Longitudinal Associations with Emotional, Behavioral, and Academic Functioning

Abstract

Objective: The links from youth sleep problems to emotional, behavioral, and academic functioning are well documented. Latent variable mixture modeling (LVMM) has been used to explore these relations; however, additional research is needed in diverse samples and with self-reports of sleep-related difficulties. The objectives of the current study were to identify profiles based on patterns of sleep disturbance and impairment and explore associations among profiles and functioning at baseline and over a subsequent 6-month period.

Methods: Participants were 278 third- through fifth-grade students (M age = 9.27; 51.8% male; 51.1% Hispanic/Latine) and homeroom teachers. Children completed measures of sleep disturbance and impairment, emotion (dys)regulation, and depressive, anxiety, and anger symptoms. Teachers completed measures of youth's emotional and conduct problems, emotion (dys)regulation, and academic performance. LVMM was conducted.

Results: Three profiles emerged: (1) "Average Sleep Disturbance and Impairment" (n = 148); (2) "Elevated Sleep Disturbance and Average Sleep Impairment" (n = 40); and (3) "Elevated Sleep Disturbance and Impairment" (n = 90). Overall, youth with above average sleep problems had worse functioning at baseline. Further, youth in Profile 3 exhibited increases in self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and anger, as well as worsening teacher-reported academic performance and conduct problems. In contrast, youth in Profile 2 exhibited improvements in self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and anger, as well as teacher-reported emotion regulation, conduct problems, and academic performance.

Conclusions: Results highlight the importance of examining self-reports of sleep problems and the need for intervention among children exhibiting elevated sleep disturbance and impairment.

Keywords: child; disturbance; impairment; longitudinal; profile; sleep.