1-040 - Cross-sectional and longitudinal links between sleep and temperament in infancy and childhood: The role of contextual factors

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

Approximately 25% of infants and children experience normative sleep problems (e.g., shortened sleep duration, poor efficiency), which may be a risk factor for future outcomes, including academic, emotional, and behavioral problems (Bates et al., 2002; Curcio et al., 2006). One psychosocial factor that may be associated with sleep problems (and developmental outcomes) is temperament. Prior research shows that early sleep is associated with a numerous facets of temperament (e.g., rhythmicity, negative affectivity; Atkinson et al., 1995; Scher et al., 1998). However, it is less clear whether specific contextual factors influence links between infant and child sleep and temperament, as well as the extent to which interactions between sleep and temperament may predict various outcomes in childhood (e.g., academic outcomes). Using three unique samples of infants and children, the papers in this session aim to understand cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between sleep and various aspects of temperament (effortful control, shyness, negative emotionality), as well as how family factors in infancy and toddlerhood (i.e., parent-child attachment and maternal sensitivity) may contribute to links between sleep and temperament. Notably, the set of papers builds on previous research by using multi-method approaches to measuring sleep and temperament independently, examining associations between sleep and temperament across development, and including other methodological advances (e.g., the twin design). By testing whether parent-child attachment and maternal sensitivity influence associations between sleep and temperament, this symposium may also provide critical information regarding points of intervention for child sleep and behavioral and emotion regulation.

Sub Unit

• Health, Growth, Injury

Chair

• Reagan S Breitenstein, Arizona State University

Discussant

• John E. Bates, Indiana University

Individual Presentations

• Genetic and contextual influences on associations between sleep duration and effortful control in infancy and childhood - Presenting Author: Reagan S Breitenstein, Arizona State University; Leah D. Doane, Arizona State University; Carlos Valiente, ASU; Kathryn Lemery-Chalfant, Arizona State University

• Variability in temperament, variability in sleep, and associations with attachment and parenting sensitivity - Presenting Author: Ronald Seifer, Brown University; Stephanie Parade, Brown University/E. P. Bradley Hospital; Rebecca Newland, Brown University; E.P. Bradley Hospital; Susan Dickstein, Brown University/E. P. Bradley Hospital

• Sleep duration moderates the association between child emotionality and academic achievement - Presenting Author: Rebecca H Berger, ASU; Carlos Valiente, ASU; Anjolii Diaz, Ball State University; Nancy Eisenberg, Arizona State University; Tracy Spinrad, Arizona State University; Sarah VanSchyndel, ASU; Jody Southworth, ASU