Sleep, Emotion, and Sex-Specific Developmental Trajectories in Childhood and Adolescence

Feb 27, 2026Children (Basel, Switzerland)

How Sleep and Emotions Change Differently for Boys and Girls During Childhood and Adolescence

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Abstract

Growing data suggest that girls exhibit greater sensitivity to sleep disturbances during the pubertal transition.

  • Sleep patterns may influence neurodevelopmental trajectories and emotional regulation differently in boys and girls.
  • Biological factors like pubertal timing and sex hormones interact with environmental influences to create distinct vulnerabilities to anxiety and depression.
  • Girls are linked to internalizing symptoms when experiencing sleep disturbances, such as anxiety and mood disorders.
  • Boys may be more prone to externalizing behaviors in response to circadian misalignment and short sleep duration.
  • Sex-specific differences in sleep architecture and emotional processing are emerging as significant factors in pediatric mental health.

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