Bedtime Consistency in Middle Childhood: Associations With School Engagement and Family Context in a National US Sample

Background Familial context influences children's sleep routines, yet population‐level evidence linking school engagement and self‐regulation to bedtime consistency is limited. Methods Data were drawn from the 2022–2024 National Survey of Children's Health, including US children aged 6–11 years ( N = 46,149). Sequential logistic regression models examined associations between bedtime consistency and school engagement, self‐regulation, household and school context, adverse childhood experiences, caregiving factors, and demographics. Results Lower behavioral self‐regulation, task persistence, and homework completion, perceived school unsafety, family structure, adverse childhood experiences, lack of caregiver emotional support, parenting stress, and older age were associated with higher odds of bedtime inconsistency (Wald F (16, 43,084) = 36.53, p < 0.001). In the fully adjusted model, low behavioral self‐regulation (aOR = 1.41), low task persistence (aOR = 1.69), and low homework completion (aOR = 1.72) remained significant. Model explanatory power was modest (Nagelkerke R 2 = 0.126). Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity Supporting behavioral regulation and coordinated family‐school strategies may promote sleep regularity. Conclusions Bedtime inconsistency reflects both school‐based behavioral functioning and broader family context.