Sleep Environments of Children in an Urban U.S. Setting Exposed to Interpersonal Violence.

This study investigated how violence influences children's sleep environments. Sixty-five children ages 8-16 years and a parent or guardian were recruited from agencies serving families experiencing violence. At baseline (5 weeks post-violent event), 6 months, and 12 months postbaseline, study staff collected sleep-behavior information and conducted systematic, qualitative assessments of sleep environments. Child sleep problems were generally frequent and persistent. However, 9 children reported improved sleep after the violent event, mainly because perpetrators were no longer present. Sleeping environments were dynamic via changes in location and modifications to improve safety and sleep. Incongruence between children's and parents' perceptions of environmental characteristics influencing sleep was common. Families' motivation to improve children's sleep represents a foundation to build upon when working with families victimized by violence.