The role of sleep in links between daily interpersonal stress and internalizing and externalizing symptoms during middle childhood

Background

Interpersonal stress has been consistently linked with poorer adjustment, and healthy sleep may play a promotive or protective role in this relation. However, little is known regarding such associations among children. The current study examined longitudinal associations between daily interpersonal stress, sleep, and internalizing/externalizing symptoms during middle childhood.

Methods

At age 8 years, participants wore actigraphy watches for 7 days to capture sleep, and primary caregivers reported on children's daily interpersonal stress, internalizing/externalizing symptoms, and sleep problems. At age 9 years, children self-reported symptoms.

Results

Greater daily interpersonal stress at age 8 years predicted greater internalizing/externalizing symptoms at age 9 years. Higher sleep efficiency predicted fewer externalizing symptoms. Sleep duration moderated links between interpersonal stress and internalizing/externalizing symptoms, but associations were positive and significant for children with average and high duration only.

Conclusion

Findings advance our understanding of links between interpersonal stress, sleep, and child adjustment and can inform targeted family and school interventions.