Effect of Sleep Quality on Theory of Mind in Children with ADHD
Date
2019-08-23
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Abstract
The current study explored the relationship between sleep quality and Theory of Mind (ToM) in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Children with ADHD often have reduced sleep quality and increased daytime sleepiness than their typically developing peers. ToM is a skill that entails gaining another person’s perspective through an understanding of their mental state. Current research has suggested that ToM may explain some of the social difficulties for children with ADHD. A sample of 46 children between the ages of 8 and 12 years were included, 21 of which had a diagnosis of ADHD. The Reading the Mind in the Eyes test (Child version) was used to assess ToM and the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire was used to examine quality of sleep. Children with ADHD had significantly greater sleep disturbances than the control group. Additionally, children with ADHD had greater daytime sleepiness, greater disturbances of sleep duration and greater sleep anxiety. Contrary to what was hypothesized, the current study did not find any difference between children with ADHD and control children on the ability to identify emotions through reading facial expressions. In addition, no relationship was found between sleep quality and ToM. The higher levels of sleep disturbances in children with ADHD, call for increased intervention to help improve sleep quality in children with ADHD, and develop targeted sleep interventions specific for children with ADHD.
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Keywords
Sleep, Theory of Mind, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Citation
Ritchie, T. M. (2019). Effect of Sleep Quality on Theory of Mind in Children with ADHD (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.