Do Irritability and Sensory Over-responsivity Mediate Sleep Problems in Preschool Anxiety Disorders? A Comprehensive Investigation
Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, cilt.Publish Ahead of Print, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: Publish Ahead of Print
- Basım Tarihi: 2025
- Doi Numarası: 10.1097/dbp.0000000000001443
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, BIOSIS, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Psycinfo
- Anahtar Kelimeler: anxiety disorders, irritability, mediation, preschool children, sensory over-responsivity, sleep
- Hacettepe Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
ABSTRACT – Objective: – This study examined whether irritability and sensory over-responsivity (SOR) mediate the relationship between anxiety disorders and sleep problems in preschool-aged children. Although previous research has demonstrated a link between anxiety and sleep disturbances, the specific contributions of irritability and SOR remain unclear.Methods: – The sample included 45 preschool children (24–72 months, 44.4% male) diagnosed with anxiety disorders and 85 healthy controls (24–72 months, 50.6% male). Diagnoses were determined using the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment, a structured DSM-5–based clinical interview. Parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist 1.5 to 5 to assess behavioral and emotional symptoms, including sleep problems and irritability.Results: – Children with anxiety disorders showed significantly higher levels of irritability (p = 0.003) and SOR (p < 0.05) compared with controls. Sleep problems were more frequent in the anxiety group compared with the controls (p = 0.003). Multiple regression analyses revealed that irritability and SOR significantly mediated the relationship between anxiety and sleep problems (p < 0.001).Conclusion: – The irritability and SOR seem to play key mediating roles in the development of sleep problems among preschoolers with anxiety disorders. These findings highlight the importance of addressing regulatory and sensory-emotional functioning in the assessment and treatment of young children with anxiety and sleep difficulties.