Shine OnIrregular bedtimes linked to fighting and behaviour problems in kids
New research from the U.K. suggests that kids who have irregular bed times are more likely to misbehave -- including getting into fights, being inconsiderate and
acting unhappy.
The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, analyzed data from more than 10,000 U.K. children as they aged from three to seven years old. The children's bedtimes were recorded, and parents and teachers were asked to assess the children's behaviour.
After reviewing the bedtimes and behaviours of the children, researchers noted that kids who went to bed at inconsistent times were more likely to have problems such as fighting, hyperactivity and emotional disturbances.
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"Not having fixed bedtimes, accompanied by a constant sense of flux, induces a state of body and mind akin to jet lag and this matters for healthy development and daily functioning," says lead author Yvonne Kelly, a professor with the Epidemiology & Public Health department at University College London.
The study suggests the correlation between irregular bedtimes and poor behaviour is a result of a disruption to children's circadian rhythm, or their body's natural "clock," which can cause sleep deprivation and as a result, stunted brain development.
Children who progressed through early childhood without a regular bedtime experienced worsened behaviour as they got older. This indicates that the negative affects build up incrementally, so children need a consistent bedtime throughout their entire childhood in order to develop properly.
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"... Children who always had irregular bedtimes were worse off than those children who did have a regular bedtime at one or two of the ages when they were surveyed," says Kelly.
However, when children changed from an irregular to a regular bedtime, their behaviour improved, suggesting that the negative affects are reversible.
Jodi Mindell, a pediatric sleep specialist not involved in the study, cautions that the study does not prove that irregular bedtimes are the source of children's behaviour problems, and may instead be indicative of other factors. In fact, the study did reveal that the kids who had irregular or late bedtimes were more likely to come from socially disadvantaged families.
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"Is it literally the not having a regular bedtime schedule that was contributing to the difficulties or is it representative of a bigger picture?" Mindell tells Reuters.
Regardless, Kelly says she hopes this research encourages health providers to check for sleep irregularities in children, and provide resources for families struggling to maintain a consistent bedtime.
"As it appears the effects of inconsistent bedtimes are reversible, one way to try and prevent this would be for health care providers to check for sleep disruptions as part of routine health care visits," she says.
Kelly recommends parents and caregivers create a relaxing bedtime routine for their children to follow at the same time every night, such as reading a story or taking a bath -- but to avoid televisions, computers and tablets, as the light from the screens can disrupt sleep patterns.
"All of these things which are kind of just basic common sense are going to help," she says.
