Circadian dysregulation in abused individuals: a proposed theoretical model for practice and research.

Trauma in the form of physical and sexual abuse remains a major issue confronting health professionals and society today. Despite the identification of large numbers of children at risk, no studies exist on the association between childhood abuse and the development of acute and long-term disruption of sleep/wake patterns. Furthermore, identification of the most effective nursing interventions to restore healthy sleep rhythms is sorely lacking. As a basic human process, sleep follows a circadian pattern, effecting sleep onset and stages. This article explores a possible model to link the sleep disruption seen in abuse children with circadian and rhythmic theories.