Shigeki Kurasawa, PhD, OTR, is Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan;
Kiyomi Tateyama, PhD, OTR, is Associate Professor, Graduate School of Rehabilitation Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan.
Am J Occup Ther. 2024 Jan 1;78(1). doi: 10.5014/ajot.2024.050271.
An association between sensory processing difficulties and behavioral problems among children has been reported in previous studies. Sleep problems among children can lead to both externalizing and internalizing behavioral problems. However, the relationships between sensory processing and sleep among children are not well understood.
To develop a structural causal model (SCM) predicated on the hypothesis that sensory processing difficulties and sleep problems are closely related among preschoolers and may contribute to behavioral issues.
Cross-sectional study.
A total of 168 children ages 3-5 yr who were enrolled in a preschool or an accredited kindergarten (four facilities in total) in a Japanese prefecture participated in the analysis.
After gaining the cooperation of educators, we distributed the following items to the children's parents: an informed consent form, the Short Sensory Profile-Japanese version (SSP-J), the Japanese Sleep Questionnaire for Preschoolers (JSQ-P), and the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 1.5-5. Through factor analysis of the SSP-J and the JSQ-P, we identified common factors. We developed an SCM using structural equation modeling.
Four factors were identified by factor analysis: attention deficit, sensory sensitivity, sleep problems, and restless legs syndrome symptoms. The final structural equation modeling analysis had an acceptable goodness of fit (goodness-of-fit index = .862; root-mean-square error of approximation = .087).
The model suggests that sensory sensitivity and sleep difficulties may contribute to behavioral issues among preschoolers. Plain-Language Summary: The results of this study suggest that relationships exist between behavioral problems, sensory processing, and sleep among preschoolers. The authors developed a model that identified four common factors that contribute to behavioral issues among preschoolers: attention deficit, sensory sensitivity, sleep problems, and restless legs syndrome symptoms. Children's behavioral problems are an important consideration for occupational therapy practitioners working with preschoolers. Sensory processing and sleep must be accurately evaluated to address preschoolers' behavioral issues.
先前的研究报告表明，儿童的感觉处理困难与行为问题之间存在关联。儿童睡眠问题会导致外在和内在的行为问题。然而，儿童的感觉处理和睡眠之间的关系还不太清楚。
根据感觉处理困难和睡眠问题在学龄前儿童中密切相关的假设，建立一个结构因果模型（SCM），并认为这两者可能导致行为问题。
横断面研究。
共有 168 名 3-5 岁的儿童参与了分析，他们就读于日本某县的一所幼儿园或经认可的幼儿园（共四所幼儿园）。
在获得教育工作者的合作后，我们向儿童的家长分发了以下项目：知情同意书、短感觉概况-日本版（SSP-J）、学龄前儿童日本睡眠问卷（JSQ-P）和儿童行为检查表 1.5-5 岁。通过 SSP-J 和 JSQ-P 的因子分析，我们确定了共同因素。我们使用结构方程模型建立了一个 SCM。
通过因子分析确定了四个因素：注意力缺陷、感觉敏感、睡眠问题和不宁腿综合征症状。最终的结构方程建模分析具有可接受的拟合优度（拟合优度指数=0.862；均方根误差近似值=0.087）。
该模型表明，感觉敏感和睡眠困难可能是导致学龄前儿童行为问题的原因。本研究结果表明，学龄前儿童的行为问题、感觉处理和睡眠之间存在关系。作者建立了一个模型，确定了导致学龄前儿童行为问题的四个共同因素：注意力缺陷、感觉敏感、睡眠问题和不宁腿综合征症状。儿童的行为问题是从事学龄前儿童工作的职业治疗师需要考虑的一个重要问题。为了解决学龄前儿童的行为问题，必须准确评估感觉处理和睡眠。
