Association of parenting styles, physical activity with sleep  problems among 3 - 4 years old children

WU Yan; YE Sunyue

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0545

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Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2025, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (3) : 259-264. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0545

Original Articles

Association of parenting styles, physical activity with sleep problems among 3 - 4 years old children

WU Yan^1,2, YE Sunyue^1,2

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Abstract

Objectives To explore the relationship among parenting styles, physical activity (PA), and sleep problems in 3- to 4-year-old children, so as to provide basis for improving young children's sleep issues. Methods By random sampling, a total of 347 Chinese children aged 3 to 4 years were recruited from 3 common public kindergartens in Jiaxing City from March to April 2022. Sleep problems were defined as a total score >41 on the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationship between parenting styles and children's sleep problems, and moderation effect models were employed to investigate the moderating role of children's PA. Results Supportive/involved parenting behaviors from both fathers (OR=0.941, 95%CI: 0.903 - 0.980) and mothers (OR=0.938, 95%CI: 0.901 - 0.977) were negatively associated with sleep problems, while hostile/coercive parenting behaviors from both fathers (OR=1.034, 95%CI: 1.002 - 1.067) and mothers (OR=1.038, 95%CI: 1.005 - 1.072) were positively correlated with sleep problems. Children's PA significantly moderated the associations between parents' hostile/coercive or supportive/involved parenting behaviors and children's sleep problems (P<0.05). Conclusions Positive parenting behaviors are associated with reduced sleep problems in 3- to 4-year-old children, while negative parenting behaviors are associated with increased sleep problems. Children's PA moderates the relationship between parenting styles and sleep problems, and engaging in 2 hours of PA daily can buffer the adverse effects of parenting styles on children's sleep problems. Strategies to improve parenting styles and promote PA levels among 3- to 4-year-old children may benefit their sleep.

Key words

parenting style / sleep problem / physical activity / 3- to 4-year-old children

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WU Yan, YE Sunyue. Association of parenting styles, physical activity with sleep problems among 3 - 4 years old children[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2025, 33(3): 259-264 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0545

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