---
title: "Psych News Alert: Childrens' Sleep Problems Linked to Behavioral, Emotional Problems"
description: Behavioral and emotional problems in young children may be the result of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) problems that begin as early as in...
---

[Psych News Alert ](https://alert.psychnews.org)

# [Psych News Alert: Childrens' Sleep Problems Linked to Behavioral, Emotional Problems](https://alert.psychnews.org/2012/03/childrens-sleep-problems-linked-to.html)

 Written by [Psychiatric News Alert](https://alert.psychnews.org/author/psychiatric-news-alert) | 3/6/12 5:00 AM

<https://alert.psychnews.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/sleeping%20baby_38139853-Jun-24-2025-06-23-00-2720-PM.jpg> 

Behavioral and emotional problems in young children may be the result of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) problems that begin as early as infancy. In a large population-based study, Karen Bonuck, Ph.D., of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and colleagues assessed parents' reports of children's snoring, mouth breathing, and apnea beginning at age 6 months and then periodically until age 69 months, as well as parents' responses to the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire when the child was 4 and 7 years old.

In a finding with screening and treatment implications, they discovered that at age 4, the children with SDB had 40 percent more behavioral difficulties than their peers, and at age 7 had 60 percent more behavioral problems, which included hyperactivity and problems with conduct and peer interactions. The researchers also found a strong link between SDB and emotional problems. Even when the sleep problems peaked at 18 months and then resolved, the risk of behavioral problems at age 7 was elevated, indicating the crucial nature of intervening early when early childhood sleep problems are identified.

Read about treatment of childhood sleep disorders in *[Psychiatric News](http://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/newsarticle.aspx?articleid=113659)*. 

(image: hunta/Shutterstock.com)

[View full post](https://alert.psychnews.org/2012/03/childrens-sleep-problems-linked-to.html)

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