UC Researcher Receives $3.4 Million Grant to Study Socio-Ecological Factors Affecting Children's Sleep

Bates noted that there is limited research on disparities in early childhood sleep health, particularly how factors such as racism, housing instability, screen time, and stress may affect sleep among toddlers and preschoolers. The long-term aim is to design strategies and health policies to help families address these inequities.

The study will involve recruiting 550 racially and economically diverse families from Cincinnati and Columbus. Over six months, the research will focus on children aged 20 to 48 months. According to Bates, examining multilevel factors—such as structural racism and stress—can provide new insights into young children’s sleep health, an area often overlooked in existing literature.

Bates, who has a background as a nurse and family nurse practitioner, previously conducted postdoctoral research at Ohio State University. Her broader research investigates how early life stress impacts health outcomes, employing a bioecological approach to understand the various environments that shape children's well-being.

The Sleep Foundation recommends varying amounts of sleep for young populations: infants need 12 to 16 hours, toddlers require 11 to 12 hours, and preschoolers need 10 to 13 hours nightly. Bates emphasizes that sleep issues in children can persist into adulthood, with up to 40% experiencing difficulties and 11% continuing to struggle with sleep throughout their lives. Proper sleep is linked to better attention, emotional regulation, and immune function.

Bates also highlighted the emerging research around stress in young children. She pointed out that not all stress is detrimental; some stress is necessary for learning. However, toxic stress can lead to long-term health issues, including mental health conditions.

Collaborating with a pediatric expert from Yale University and specialists in sociology and developmental psychology, Bates aims to explore the systemic disparities affecting sleep health. She expressed a desire for the research to help equip children and families with the resources needed for better sleep, acknowledging that sleep is critical not only as a behavior but also as a biological process. Sleep disruptions can impact children's behavior and academic performance.

This research is funded by the NHLBI of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R01HL170100, with content that reflects the authors' distinct perspectives and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.