Executive dysfunction, negative pre-sleep cognitions, and sleep problems: examining a cyclical model.

Sleep is integral to cognitive functioning, and disturbances in sleep patterns can impair cognition. This study investigated the relationships between executive functions, sleep problems, and negative pre-sleep cognitions, proposing a model for their interaction. We assessed 107 adults using the Bedtime Counterfactual Processing Questionnaire and the Glasgow Content of Thoughts Inventory for negative pre-sleep cognitions, the Insomnia Severity Index and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index for sleep problems, and the Free Research Executive Evaluation test battery for executive functions. Regression and mediation analyses were conducted to examine both direct and indirect relationships between these variables. Higher executive functions were associated with fewer negative pre-sleep cognitions, which in turn predicted fewer sleep problems. However, the anticipated direct effect of sleep problems on executive functioning was not supported, indicating a more complex interplay. Notably, pre-sleep cognition mediated the relationship between executive functions and sleep problems, indirectly affecting sleep problems through its connection with executive functions. While the findings support the mediation model of executive functions, negative pre-sleep cognitions, and sleep problems, the proposed cyclical model was not fully substantiated. This suggests that additional factors may influence the dynamics of this relationship, offering potential avenues for future research and interventions targeting sleep disorders and cognitive well-being enhancement.

What is the Sleep Pattern of Infants and Toddlers in the Iranian Population? An Epidemiological Study.

Objective To identify sleep patterns and sleep behaviors in a group of infants and toddlers (0 to 36 months) in Iran. Methods Parents and caregivers of 602 infants and toddlers in Iran completed a Persian translation of the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire. To assess the differences among the age groups, non-parametric statistical approaches such as the Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square tests were employed. Results The infants and toddlers went to bed relatively late (22:30), and the median night awakening was 2 times (20 min). They most likely slept in the same room with their parents (55.5%), and commonly in the same bed (18.9%). They slept a median of 11.50 hours per day. A significant percentage of the parents felt that their child had moderate or severe sleep problems (22.4%). These children's sleep patterns had significant developmental changes, including decreased daytime sleep, reduced overall sleep, and increased sleep consolidation (reduced number and duration of night awakenings and increased overall sleep duration). The parents commonly used holding-and-rocking and bottle/breastfeeding to initiate infants' sleep and bottle/breastfeeding to resume their infants' sleep. Discussion These findings provide reference data for professionals to assess sleep in children under 3 years of age and also supply knowledge about common parenting practices related to a child's sleep. Cross-cultural comparisons using the findings can offer new insights into the practices and behaviors of parents concerning infant and toddler sleep.

Poor sleep is associated with sensation-seeking and risk behavior in college students.

Objective: The current study examines the relationship between sleep duration and variability with sensation- seeking and risky behaviors in a sample of Iranian undergraduate students. Methods: The participants in this study were 385 undergraduate students in Tehran. To collect data, we used the Sensation Seeking Scale, Risk Behavior Scale, and two questions related to sleep duration and sleep variability. Results: The results showed a positive relationship between sleep deprivation and irregular sleep schedule with sensation-seeking and risk behavior tendencies in students. Discussion: This association could point to an indirect impact of sleep deprivation on sensationseeking and risk behavior, for example, by altering brain regions responsible for self- control.

Reality Testing in Children with Childhood-Onset Schizophrenia and Normal Children: A Comparison using the Ego Impairment Index on the Rorschach.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine reality testing in schizophrenic children and compare it with normal children using minus responses subcomponent in ego impairment index of the Rorschach test. METHODS: In a descriptive design, 20 accidentally sampled children, including 10 schizophrenic and 10 normal children, were recruited in to two groups and were compared in terms of reality testing subcomponent of Ego Impairment Index (EII). After initial interview, the Rorschach inkblot test was administered on the two groups, and Distorted Quality responses (FQ-) were calculated. The results were then analyzed by independent t-test and Cohen's d for effect size. RESULTS: The result of independent t-test revealed that the mean of minus responses in schizophrenic children was significantly higher than that of normal children. In addition, the usefulness of the Rorschach ego impairment index (EII) in evaluating reality testing in schizophrenic children was confirmed. In addition, it was found that defect in reality testing is one of the prominent characteristics of schizophrenic children. CONCLUSION: The higher minus responses in schizophrenic children indicate that schizophrenic children have weaker functioning in reality testing compared with normal children.