Introduction: Children with behaviours problems are encountered both, in the home environment and at school, where psychomotor restlessness, impulsivity, and difficulty in maintaining attention are most often expressed. These are the three main symptoms of hyperkinetic disorder. Although psychosocial and neurocognitive disorders in behaviourally difficult children are well researched, little attention has been paid to comorbid health problems such as sleep disorders. Purpose: The purpose of this research was to investigate the presence of sleep problems in children who are behaviourally difficult, have a diagnosis of a hyperkinetic disorder, or some other behavioural or emotional disorder. We were interested in the frequency of problems, children's sleep hygiene, and the factors that influence sleep problems. Methods: We made research with the use of a questionnaire consisting of several parts. The main part was a standardized Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire – Abbreviated. At the workshop for parents of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, organized by the association Mavrični Bojevniki, we surveyed parents of children aged between three and seventeen years. A total of 66 questionnaires were completed. Results: Almost half of the children had been diagnosed with the hyperkinetic disorder, according to their parents' reports. The total score of points on the questionnaire was lower than the cut-off, which indicates sleep disorders. A quarter of the children scored higher than average, indicating sleep problems. Children tend to wake up at night, resist going to bed, and have restless sleep during the night. Children also appear tired during the day, need a particular object to fall asleep, must sleep in the dark, are afraid to go to sleep, and need parents to fall asleep. Discussion and conclusion: Each problem with sleeping is considered a sleep problem if it occurs twice a week or more, which greatly increases the proportion of children who have trouble sleeping in at least one area. Studies conducted in other countries have similar results. It is well known that poor sleep hygiene contributes to sleep disorders, which negatively affect the functioning of children, and the combination of poor sleep hygiene and sleep disorders aggravates symptoms of hyperkinetic disorders. Nurses have an important role in preventing sleep disorders, as they provide health education to parents and children as part of their work.
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