Sleep Disturbances and Co-Sleeping in Italian Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Saved in:
| Title: | Sleep Disturbances and Co-Sleeping in Italian Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Serena Scarpelli (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2025 55(11):4137-4152. |
| Availability: | Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 16 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Sleep, Children, Adolescents, Predictor Variables, Intelligence Quotient, Mental Disorders, Parents, Stress Variables, Age Differences, Child Behavior, Well Being, Mental Health, Foreign Countries, Autism Spectrum Disorders |
| Geographic Terms: | Italy (Rome) |
| Assessment and Survey Identifiers: | Leiter International Performance Scale, Raven Progressive Matrices, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Child Behavior Checklist, Parenting Stress Index |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10803-024-06507-y |
| ISSN: | 0162-3257 1573-3432 |
| Abstract: | The current study aimed (1) to provide an analysis of the frequency and prevalence of sleep disturbances in a large Italian sample of children and adolescents with ASD, detecting specific predictors of the presence/absence of sleep disorders, (2) to examine the phenomenon of co-sleeping within a subgroup of participants with ASD. A total of 242 children and adolescents with ASD (194 males, mean age 5.03 ± 3.15 years) were included. After the diagnostic procedure, caregivers were requested to complete the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) to assess sleep disorders among participants. The presence of co-sleeping was investigated in a subgroup of 146 children and adolescents with ASD. An elevated or clinically relevant global score for sleep disorders (= 60) was found in 33% of participants. The most prevalent sleep disorder in our group was related to difficulties with sleep onset and sleep maintenance ([approximately] 41% of cases). Sleep disturbances were predicted by higher intelligence quotient (IQ)/developmental quotient (DQ), increased internalizing problems, and elevated parental stress. The subgroup of participants engaged in co-sleeping (N = 87) were younger and had lower IQ/DQ scores, reduced adaptive functioning, and diminished psychological wellbeing than the non-co-sleeping group. Our findings are consistent with the current literature highlighting that insomnia is the most widespread sleep problem associated with ASD. The relationship between IQ/DQ and sleep alterations is a crucial topic that deserves additional research. Future studies should assess sleep by objective measures such as EEG topography to better understand the mechanisms underlying sleep alterations in this neurodevelopmental disorder. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1493006 |
| Database: | ERIC |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | The current study aimed (1) to provide an analysis of the frequency and prevalence of sleep disturbances in a large Italian sample of children and adolescents with ASD, detecting specific predictors of the presence/absence of sleep disorders, (2) to examine the phenomenon of co-sleeping within a subgroup of participants with ASD. A total of 242 children and adolescents with ASD (194 males, mean age 5.03 ± 3.15 years) were included. After the diagnostic procedure, caregivers were requested to complete the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) to assess sleep disorders among participants. The presence of co-sleeping was investigated in a subgroup of 146 children and adolescents with ASD. An elevated or clinically relevant global score for sleep disorders (= 60) was found in 33% of participants. The most prevalent sleep disorder in our group was related to difficulties with sleep onset and sleep maintenance ([approximately] 41% of cases). Sleep disturbances were predicted by higher intelligence quotient (IQ)/developmental quotient (DQ), increased internalizing problems, and elevated parental stress. The subgroup of participants engaged in co-sleeping (N = 87) were younger and had lower IQ/DQ scores, reduced adaptive functioning, and diminished psychological wellbeing than the non-co-sleeping group. Our findings are consistent with the current literature highlighting that insomnia is the most widespread sleep problem associated with ASD. The relationship between IQ/DQ and sleep alterations is a crucial topic that deserves additional research. Future studies should assess sleep by objective measures such as EEG topography to better understand the mechanisms underlying sleep alterations in this neurodevelopmental disorder. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0162-3257 1573-3432 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10803-024-06507-y |
