Sleep habits of children aged 9-11 and the relationship between sleep habits and negative behaviors in the classroom

The aim of this research was to analyze the relationship between the sleep habits and sleep disorders of 9-11-year-old school children and negative behaviors in the classroom. This research was cross-sectional. A total of 550 students and their families constituted the study group of the research. Twenty-one teachers evaluated the in-classroom negative behaviors of these students. In the evaluation of the data, multiple and logistic regression analyses were used. The perception of economic status as poor and average (β = 0.131), lack of a room of one's own (β = 0.119), bedtime delay (β = 0.008) and daytime sleep (β = 0.128) were detected as determinants of sleep habits and these variables have negative effects, hence an increase in the sleep habits' score. According to logistic regression analysis, being of male gender (odds ratio [OR]: 2.714, confidence interval [CI]: 1.791-4.113), aged 9 (OR: 2.931 CI: 1.769-4.856) and aged 10 (OR: 1.804 CI: 1.082-3.009), having a father with an elementary level education or lower level (OR: 2.720 CI: 1.319-5.611), a waking time before 08.00 hours (OR: 1.873 CI: 1.058-3.316) and night waking (OR: 1.272 CI: 1.026-1.576) were risk factors for negative behaviors in the classroom. When teachers, counselors and school health-care personnel evaluate children with negative behaviors in the classroom, they should take students' sleep habits into account. © 2014 The Authors.