Sleep disturbances are a core feature of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), especially in children and adolescents. The existing literature suggests a potential relationship between sleep quality and cognitive function in this population, but empirical studies are limited. This study aimed to investigate the association between sleep quality and cognition in children and adolescents with PTSD attending a public school in Medellín, Colombia.

Using a quantitative, cross-sectional exploratory design, we examined a sample of 130 students (106 females and 24 males) aged 11 to 16 years (mean age = 12.9, SD = 1.35), from sixth to eighth grade. Seventy-one participants met the criteria for PTSD, while 59 served as the control group. Data were collected using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the DSM-5 TR+COG Questionnaire of Symptoms Associated with Traumatic Experiences in Childhood or Adolescence and Neurocognitive Symptoms.

Comparative analysis between the PTSD and control groups was conducted using the Student's t-test. Pearson correlation was employed to assess the relationship between sleep quality and neurocognitive function. Significant differences were found between the groups across various sleep dimensions: total score (t(128)=4.85, p<0.001, d=0.85), sleep latency (t(128)=4.11, p<0.001, d=0.72), sleep disturbances (t(128)=3.91, p<0.001, d=0.69), and daytime dysfunction (t(128)=4.36, p<0.001, d=0.76). Additionally, a positive correlation was identified between sleep quality and cognition (r=0.49, p<0.001, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.86).

These findings underscore the significant impact of PTSD on sleep quality and its subsequent effect on cognitive function. Potential clinical implications include the need for interventions targeting sleep disturbances as part of PTSD treatment. This study highlights the intricate relationship between traumatic experiences, cognitive alterations, and sleep quality, calling for further research in this area.