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Updated: Jun 1, 2026
08:20
Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood
Published on: October 2, 2019
Sleep in the family.
Lisa J Meltzer1, Hawley E Montgomery-Downs
1Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO 80206, USA. meltzerl@njhealth.org
Pediatric Clinics of North America
|May 24, 2011
Summary
Family sleep dynamics are bidirectional. Child sleep issues impact parents, while parental stress and cognitions affect child sleep, influencing overall family well-being.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Sleep Medicine
- Family Psychology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Family systems exhibit reciprocal interactions influencing individual well-being.
- Child sleep problems frequently disrupt parental sleep and daytime functioning.
- Parental factors, including cognitions and external stressors, significantly impact child sleep.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the interplay between child and parent sleep across development.
- To examine how family context influences sleep from infancy to adolescence.
- To explore sleep in families with children experiencing chronic illness or developmental disorders.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on family systems and sleep.
- Analysis of bidirectional relationships between child and parent sleep.
- Synthesis of research on sleep in special needs populations within a family context.
Main Results:
- Child sleep disturbances negatively affect parental sleep and functioning.
- Parental cognitions and stressors are significant mediators of child sleep quality.
- Family-centered sleep interventions are crucial, especially for children with chronic conditions.
Conclusions:
- Understanding family sleep dynamics is essential for addressing pediatric sleep issues.
- Interventions should consider the entire family system for optimal outcomes.
- Further research is needed on sleep in families with complex needs.
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