Relationship of Sleep Disturbances in Children with Depression / Anxiety Symptoms in Children and Their Parents During the Covid-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT

Objective: Sleep disturbances are reported as common in children during the COVID-19 outbreak. This study was designed to investigate relationship between sleep problems of children and depression/anxiety symptoms in both children and their parents. Methods: A total of 372 parents completed a web-based survey on sociodemographic and clinical data. The psychiatric status was assessed using Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI), Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale–Parent Version (RCADS-P), and Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children. Results: It was found that significant sleep disturbances were higher in school-aged children (P =.015). HAI and RCADS-P scores were higher in children with sleep disturbances in all developmental periods. DASS-21 subscale scores were higher in preschoolers and school-aged children with significant sleep disturbances. Conclusion: Depression and anxiety symptoms in children and parents are associated with sleep problems in children. In addition, school-aged children can be thought to be more at risk for depression/anxiety symptoms and sleep problems. Psychiatric evaluation of children and their parents is recommended when sleep problems occur in children during the COVID-19 outbreak.