What is it about?
We have shown that children who have suffered a traumatic injury (bodily injury or brain injury) may experience more sleep difficulties and internalizing problems (anxiety/depression) than typically developing children. Importantly, the internalizing problems that occur predict sleep difficulties in the year following injury.
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Why is it important?
This study adds evidence that 1) sleep difficulties and internalizing problems occur after injury to the brain or body, underscoring the importance of including bodily injury comparison groups in studies of traumatic brain injury. 2) Internalizing problems in children with traumatic injury predict later sleep difficulties, 3) and internalizing problems may be an influential target of intervention to improve sleep.
Perspectives
Completing this paper highlighted the complex challenges that arise after traumatic injuries, and I hope it draws researchers to explore the impact of traumatic events, in addition to the consequences of different types of injuries. The study also shows how mood and sleep problems after injury can 'snowball.' A common theme in clinical work fits well with our study findings: early intervention is important!
Jesse Fischer
University of Houston
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Sleep disturbances and internalizing behavior problems following pediatric traumatic injury., Neuropsychology, February 2018, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/neu0000420.
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