ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of sleep duration on emotional functioning and cognitive performance in children. METHODS: 32 children (8-12 years) wore actigraphs for 3 weeks. Following a week of typical sleep, each child was randomly assigned to go to bed 1 hr earlier for 4 nights (Long Sleep) or 1 hr later for 4 nights (Short Sleep) relative to their typical bedtime. Each child then completed the opposite condition. After each week, emotional and cognitive functioning were assessed using objective and subjective measures. RESULTS: Results revealed impaired functioning in the Short- relative to the Long-Sleep condition on measures of positive affective response, emotion regulation, short-term memory, working memory, and aspects of attention. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that even modest differences in sleep duration over just a few nights can have significant consequences for children's daytime functioning. These findings demonstrate the important impact of sleep duration on children's daytime functioning.
Subject(s)
Emotions/physiology , Mental Processes/physiology , Sleep/physiology , Task Performance and Analysis , Actigraphy , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Neuropsychological Tests , Time FactorsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To examine behavioral interventions for sleep problems in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). METHODS: A systematic review evaluating all published studies examining the effectiveness of behavioral treatment of sleep problems in children with ASD is presented. RESULTS: Based on the Chambless criteria for treatment efficacy, both standard extinction and scheduled awakenings met criteria for possibly efficacious interventions for sleep problems in children with ASD. Some positive outcomes have been reported, but there has not been enough research examining graduated extinction, faded bedtime, stimulus fading and chronotherapy to make any firm conclusions regarding treatment efficacy for children with ASD. CONCLUSIONS: Although more rigorous research is required in order for any sleep interventions for children with ASD to be considered probably efficacious or well-established, the current literature should be used to guide clinical decisions and direct research questions.
Subject(s)
Behavior Therapy/methods , Child Development Disorders, Pervasive/complications , Sleep Wake Disorders/therapy , Child , Child Development Disorders, Pervasive/psychology , Extinction, Psychological , Family , Humans , Sleep Wake Disorders/complications , Sleep Wake Disorders/psychology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The present study examined the relationship between a self-presentational style involving an extreme need to conceal perceived imperfections from others and body image disturbance (BID). Findings from both a community and a university sample indicated that nondisplay of imperfection (i.e., concerns over behavioral displays of imperfections to others) predicted BID beyond self-imposed perfectionistic expectations and other contributors to BID. Mediational analyses suggested that dysfunctional appearance schemas represent one possible mechanism through which nondisplay of imperfection influences BID. In contrast to earlier work on perfectionism and BID, which emphasized the role of self-imposed perfectionistic expectations, the current study offers a novel view of the connection between perfectionism and BID. That is, rather than striving to achieve perfection, the present study suggests that individuals with BID are characterized by a strong need to avoid appearing imperfect to others.
