CHILD TEMPERAMENT, PARENTING DISCIPLINE STYLE, AND DAYTIME BEHAVIOR IN CHILDHOOD SLEEP DISORDERS

Fifty-two children without significant sleep disturbance seen at a pri mary care clinic for well-child care were compared on measures of temp erament, parenting style, daytime behavior, and overall sleep disturba nce to three diagnostic subgroups identified in a pediatric sleep clin ic: children with obstructive sleep apnea (n = 33), parasomnias (night terrors, sleepwalking, etc.) (n = 16), and behavioral sleep disorders (limit-setting disorder, etc.) (n = 31). The mean age of the entire s ample was 5.7 years. Temperamental emotionality in the behavioral slee p disorders group was associated with a higher level of sleep disturba nce (p < .001); parenting laxness was associated with sleep disturbanc e in the general pediatric population (p < .01); and intense and negat ive temperament characteristics seemed to be associated with clinicall y significant behavioral sleep disturbances. Ineffective parenting sty les and daytime disruptive behaviors were more likely to be associated with the milder sleep disturbances found in children in a primary car e setting.