Causal Link Established Between Violent or Inappropriate Media and Sleep Problems in Preschoolers

In a randomized study, an intervention that encouraged educational and prosocial content was associated with improved sleep.

An association between watching violent and aggressive media at home and child sleep problems has been documented in observational studies. Investigators examined whether this relation is causal in a randomized, controlled trial in preschool children (age range, 3–5 years) in an urban community.

Preschool children in 565 families were randomized to a healthy-media-use intervention or no intervention after parents completed a standardized sleep assessment. A case manager visited intervention-group families at home and encouraged healthy media choices by replacing violent or age-inappropriate media content with quality educational and prosocial content. Case managers used motivational interviewing techniques to engage and inform the parents. S…

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics