SLEEP AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILDREN ON A PSYCHIATRIC INPATIENT UNIT

Objective: To assess the association of objective measures of sleep-wa ke patterns and psychological status and abuse history of children hos pitalized in a psychiatric inpatient unit. Method: Thirty-nine inpatie nt children participated in the study. They were monitored for one to three consecutive nights with miniature wrist activity monitors for ob jective assessment of sleep-wake patterns. In addition, a thorough psy chiatric and psychosocial assessment was completed with each child and the parents. Results: Children's self-ratings of depression, hopeless ness, and low self-esteem were significantly correlated with objective sleep measures indicating poorer sleep quality. No significant correl ations between intelligence scores and sleep measures were found. Nona bused and sexually abused children had better sleep quality than physi cally abused children. Conclusions: Sleep quality during hospitalizati on is strongly associated with self experiences of depression, hopeles sness, and low self-esteem in children with severe behavior disorders.