Household instability and self‐regulation in Head Start children: The mediating and moderating roles of bedtime routines

Children in unstable homes face frequent changes and distractions from unpredictable events, leading to lower emotional regulation and reduced attentional regulation. This study investigated the role of early bedtime routines in the relationship between household instability and self‐regulation among Early Head Start children. Specifically, we investigated whether early bedtime routines function as a mediating mechanism or a moderating factor in the association between early household instability and children's self‐regulation. The analytic sample included 1760 primarily low‐income, ethnic minority families in the U.S. Using two separate longitudinal models, we tested the mediation effect using path analysis and found that early bedtime routine during toddlerhood (14–36 months) significantly mediated the relationship between household instability and both emotional and attentional regulation at 36 months. However, the moderation analysis did not yield significant evidence supporting the buffering role of bedtime routines. This study provides empirical evidence that parents’ engagement in establishing consistent early bedtime routines plays a significant mediating role in supporting the development of children's emotional and attentional regulation in the context of household instability.