Socioeconomic inequalities in sleep disturbances among school-aged children: evidence from socioeconomically vulnerable schools

Abstract Background Family socioeconomic inequalities have been consistently associated with children’s sleep disturbances. However, it remains unclear whether these inequalities are equally evident among children attending socioeconomically vulnerable schools, where many environmental challenges are shared. This study aimed to examine socioeconomic inequalities in sleep disturbances using family socioeconomic status as an indicator of socioeconomic position among school-aged children attending socioeconomically vulnerable primary schools. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 735 school-aged children attending socioeconomically vulnerable primary schools. Sleep disturbances and family socioeconomic indicators were assessed using parent-reported questionnaires. Sleep disturbances were measured using the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), and clinically significant sleep disturbances were defined using the CSHQ cut-off validated for the Portuguese population. Family socioeconomic status was operationalised as a composite index based on parental education, parental occupation, and household income. This index was used as an indicator of socioeconomic inequalities. Linear and binary logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between family socioeconomic status index and sleep disturbances (continuous CSHQ score) and clinically significant sleep disturbances (CSHQ cut-off), respectively, adjusting for children’s age and sex. Results Higher socioeconomic status index is significantly associated with fewer sleep disturbances (B = − 0.633, 95% CI: −0.946 to − 0.320, p < 0.001) and lower odds of clinically significant sleep disturbances (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.77–0.95). Conclusion Higher family socioeconomic status was associated with fewer sleep disturbances among children attending socioeconomically vulnerable schools. These findings highlight the importance of addressing socioeconomic inequalities when promoting children’s sleep health and developing equitable health promotion strategies.