Mediating Effect of Emotional and Behaviors Symptoms on the Relationship Between Parenting Behaviors and Sleep problems in Preschool Children

Background: Sleep plays an important role in the growth and development of children, and are affected by many factors. There are few studies on parenting behaviors on preschool children's sleep problems. Understanding the influence of parents on children's sleep and potential factors are helpful to correct rearing strategies in time and better promote children's sleep health. Methods: A population-based survey was conducted in 109 kindergartens in 11 cities in China. The social security consumption of children was evaluated through a questionnaire filled out by caregivers. Children's sleep problems were assessed by Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), the Parent Behavior Inventory (PBI) to evaluate the parenting behavior of preschool children, emotional and behaviors symptoms were assessed by Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Result: Approximately 15.3% of the preschoolers reported sleep problems. The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of having elevated total difficulties for sleep problems across the maternal hostile/coercive were 1.00, 1.38 (1.23, 1.54) and 1.86 (1.64, 2.10), respectively (P for trend < 0.001); The paternal hostile/coercive were 1.00, 1.17 (1.05, 1.30) and 1.59 (1.42, 1.79), respectively (P for trend < 0.001). The mediation analysis further revealed partial mediation effects of emotional and behavioral symptoms on the association between parenting behaviors and children sleep. Conclusions: Parents' hostile/coercive parenting styles increase the risk of children's sleep problems, in which emotional and behavioral problems play a mediating role.