0997 CHID SLEEP HABITS QUESTIONNAIRE AND INTERNALIZING/EXTERNALIZING PROBLEMS AMONG DISADVANTAGED MALTREATED PRESCHOOLERS FROM CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES

Abstract Introduction: Internalizing and externalizing problems are common problems among preschoolers referred from Child Protective Services for maltreatment. Recent studies showed that sleep regulation is associated with behavioral problems among non-disadvantaged preschoolers or in representative prospective cohorts of children. To our knowledge, no study has investigated this association among disadvantaged maltreated children. Methods: Seventy-one preschoolers aged from 2 to 5 years (mean=39 months, SD=17 months) were included in the study. These toddlers were recruited from five Child Protective Services in the province of Quebec. Mothers have completed a demographic questionnaire, the Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire and the Child Behavior Checklist. Results: Linear regressions were found for internalizing problems (p=.001) and externalizing problems (p =.006) in function of the sleep item «Does not sleep as much as needed » adjusted for sex of the child and age. In this sample, internalizing problems and externalizing problems were strongly correlated (r=.68). Therefore, linear regressions were ran again adjusting for sex, child age and externalizing problem. Only an association was found between the sleep item «Does not sleep as much as needed » and internalizing problems (p =.004). Conclusion: Sleep regulation seems a stronger indicator for emergence of internalizing problems among disadvantaged maltreated children. Sleep problems could be a helpful indicator for detecting internalizing problems among disadvantaged maltreated preschoolers from Child Protective Services. Support (If Any): This research was supported by Fondation André et Lucie Chagnon.