Ecrãs ao fim do dia, tipo diurno, sono e sintomas psicológicos em crianças do pré-escolar e do 1.º CEB: Potencial impacto dos ecrãs ao fim do dia sobre o sono

Abstract

O uso de ecrãs, por parte de crianças de idade pré-escolar e escolar, mostra-se cada vez mais elevado, sendo superior ao recomendado. Um maior uso de ecrãs encontra-se associado a mais problemas de sono. O objetivo principal do presente estudo centrou-se na compreensão da relação entre o uso de ecrãs ao fim do dia e o padrão de sono-vigília em crianças de idade pré-escolar e escolar. Para além disso, pretendeu-se averiguar se o tempo de utilização dos ecrãs ao fim do dia se mantinha um preditor significativo das variáveis de sono, quando controladas outras variáveis, como o tipo diurno. O presente estudo conta com uma amostra total de 605 crianças, sendo 186 de idade pré-escolar (4-6 anos) e 419 de idade escolar (7-9 anos). Os resultados sobre o uso de ecrãs, sono e sintomatologia psicológica foram obtidos através das respostas dos encarregados de educação a diferentes instrumentos de avaliação (QCTC, PSVC, QUEN e SDQ-Por). Um grande número de crianças utiliza ecrãs ao fim do dia, não se verificando diferenças entre crianças de idade pré-escolar e escolar ou entre os tipos diurnos. Este estudo proporcionou os primeiros dados sobre o uso de ecrãs ao fim do dia, em crianças, em função do tipo diurno. O uso de ecrãs ao fim do dia associa-se a diferentes variáveis de sono, como horas de levantar e de deitar mais tardias ou um período de sono mais reduzido. Além disso, o tempo de utilização de ecrãs ao fim do dia mostrou-se um preditor significativo dos parâmetros de sono mencionados, mesmo após o controlo de outras variáveis como o tipo diurno das crianças.

The screen use, by preschool and primary school-age children, is increasingly high, being higher than recommended. This has been associated with more sleep problems.The main goal of the present study was to understand the relationship between evening screen use and the sleep-wake pattern in preschool and primary school-age children. In addition, it was intended to investigate whether evening screen time remained a significant predictor of sleep variables, when controlling for other variables, such as diurnal type.The present study has a total sample of 605 children, being 186 of preschool-age (4-6 years) and 419 of school-age (7-9 years). The results of screen use, sleep and psychological symptoms were obtained through parents’ responses to different assessment instruments (QCTC, PSVC, QUEN and SDQ-Por).A large number of children use screens at the end of the day, with no differences between preschool and school-age children or between morning, intermediate and evening children. This study provided the first data on the evening screen use, in children, as a function of diurnal type.The evening screen use is associated with different sleep variables, such as later get-up times and bedtimes or a shorter sleep period. Furthermore, the evening screen time was a significant predictor of those sleep variables, even after controlling for other variables such as the children’s diurnal type. Abstract: The screen use, by preschool and primary school-age children, is increasingly high, being higher than recommended. This has been associated with more sleep problems.The main goal of the present study was to understand the relationship between evening screen use and the sleep-wake pattern in preschool and primary school-age children. In addition, it was intended to investigate whether evening screen time remained a significant predictor of sleep variables, when controlling for other variables, such as diurnal type.The present study has a total sample of 605 children, being 186 of preschool-age (4-6 years) and 419 of school-age (7-9 years). The results of screen use, sleep and psychological symptoms were obtained through parents’ responses to different assessment instruments (QCTC, PSVC, QUEN and SDQ-Por).A large number of children use screens at the end of the day, with no differences between preschool and school-age children or between morning, intermediate and evening children. This study provided the first data on the evening screen use, in children, as a function of diurnal type.The evening screen use is associated with different sleep variables, such as later get-up times and bedtimes or a shorter sleep period. Furthermore, the evening screen time was a significant predictor of those sleep variables, even after controlling for other variables such as the children’s diurnal type.