International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 5 authors, 2 centres
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This cross-sectional study assessed sleep disturbances and mental well-being in 51 preschool children in Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic using questionnaires and actigraphy. It found a high prevalence of sleep disturbances (68.6%) associated with tablet use near bedtime and mental health symptoms, but the small sample size and cross-sectional design limit causal conclusions.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused routine changes affecting children's sleep and mental health, with emerging evidence of sleep disturbances in preschoolers. This study aimed to evaluate sleep parameters and mental well-being in preschool children in Mexico after prolonged confinement. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2021, involving 51 parents and children aged 3-6 years. Assessments included the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and wrist actigraphy for seven days. Key Results: Sleep disturbances were prevalent in 68.6% of children, with 23.53% having severe disturbances (CSHQ > 52). Tablet use in the bedroom near bedtime was significantly associated with sleep disturbances (p=0.01, OR=6.67, 95% CI 1.62-27.38). Mental health symptoms, including emotional distress and behavioral difficulties, were associated with higher sleep disturbance scores (p<0.01). Actigraphy showed total sleep time of 7 hours, below recommended levels, while parental reports indicated 9.8 hours. Limitations: The cross-sectional design limits causality, selection bias from WhatsApp recruitment, and small sample size (51 participants) affect generalizability. Implications: The findings highlight the need for age-tailored interventions to manage sleep disturbances and mental well-being in preschool children, especially regarding electronic device use. Further research is needed on the impact of tablets and post-confinement changes.
