Sleep Problems in Children and Adolescents Following Traumatic Life Events

Overview

Journal World J Psychiatry

Publisher Baishideng Publishing Group

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2021 Mar 1

PMID 33643859

Citations 7

Authors

George Giannakopoulos

Gerasimos Kolaitis

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Rates of childhood trauma exposure are extremely high, with approximately 70% of children and adolescents experiencing at least one traumatic event. Among the most common non-specific consequences of stress and trauma are disruptions of sleep. Sleep problems, such as shorter sleep duration, difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings, nightmares, sleepless nights, and early-morning wakefulness appear to have a higher prevalence among children and adolescents following traumatic events. This review will illustrate the role of sleep problems in traumatized children and adolescents, and emphasize the need to consider a wide range of etiological mechanisms for these symptoms. However, the relationship of trauma exposure to sleep problems among children and adolescents needs further investigation in future research. Moreover, in view of the adverse consequences of long-term disrupted sleep on mental health outcomes following trauma, the need to effectively address sleep disturbances in traumatized children and adolescents is crucial.

Citing Articles

Sleep Quality and Cognitive Impairments in Children and Adolescents with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and/or Depressive Symptoms.

Barrera-Valencia M, Calderon-Delgado L, Adan A J Clin Med. 2025; 14(3).

PMID: 39941679 PMC: 11818455. DOI: 10.3390/jcm14031010.

Sleep duration in adolescence buffers the impact of childhood trauma on anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Coote T, Barrett E, Grummitt L BMC Public Health. 2025; 25(1):437.

PMID: 39905366 PMC: 11792485. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-025-21621-x.

Chronobiology in Paediatric Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Harmonizing Care with Biological Clocks.

Giannotta G, Ruggiero M, Trabacca A J Clin Med. 2025; 13(24.

PMID: 39768659 PMC: 11678831. DOI: 10.3390/jcm13247737.

Characterization of sleep difficulties in maltreated children and adolescents.

Fuca E, Guerrera S, Falvo S, Sestito S, De Rose P, Vicari S Eur J Pediatr. 2024; 183(10):4445-4455.

PMID: 39133304 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-024-05718-w.

Insufficient Sleep is Associated With Increasing Trends in Adolescent Suicidal Behaviors.

Wang Z, Tang Y, Wang G, Deng Y, Jiang Y, Sun W J Adolesc Health. 2024; 74(6):1198-1207.

PMID: 38506779 PMC: 11137680. DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2024.01.030.

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