Racial differences in reported napping and nocturnal sleep in 2- to 8-year-old children.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study were to examine racial differences in reported napping and nighttime sleep of 2- to 8-year-old children, to identify factors accounting for these differences, and to determine if variability in napping was related to psychosocial functioning.


METHODS
Caretakers of 1043 children (73.5% non-Hispanic white; 50.4% male) 2 to 8 years old from a community sample reported on their children's napping behavior and nighttime sleep. Caretakers of 255 preschool children (3-5 years old) also completed the Behavior Assessment System for Children.


RESULTS
A more gradual age-related decline in napping was found for black children. At age 8, 39.1% of black children were reported to nap, compared with only 4.9% of white children. Black children also napped significantly more days per week, had shorter average nocturnal sleep durations, and slept significantly less on weekdays than on weekend nights. Despite differences in sleep distribution, total weekly sleep duration (diurnal and nocturnal) was nearly identical for the 2 racial groups at each year of age. Logistic regression analysis revealed that demographic variables were related to but did not fully explain napping differences. Napping in a subset of preschoolers was not significantly related to psychosocial functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
There are remarkable racial differences in reported napping and nighttime sleep patterns beginning as early as age 3 and extending to at least 8 years of age. These differences are independent of commonly investigated demographic factors. Differences in napping behavior do not seem to have psychosocial significance in a sample of preschool children.
Crosby
Brian
B
Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406-5025, USA.
LeBourgeois
Monique K
MK
Harsh
John
J
D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012890:Sleep; D012923:Social Class; D013997:Time Factors; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology