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Relationship between parent knowledge of child sleep, and child sleep practices and problems: A pilot study in a
Philippa S McDowall1, Dawn E Elder1, Angela J Campbell2
1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
Insights
Parental knowledge and socioeconomic factors significantly influence children's sleep habits. Higher parental education and income correlate with earlier, more consistent sleep schedules for children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Sleep Medicine
- Child Development
- Parental Health Literacy
Background:
- Childhood sleep practices are crucial for development and well-being.
- Parental understanding of sleep needs and routines can impact a child's sleep quality.
- Socioeconomic factors may influence the ability to establish consistent sleep patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document parental reports of children's sleep practices.
- To investigate the relationship between parental knowledge of child sleep and children's sleep habits.
- To compare children's sleep practices based on parental estimation of sleep needs.
Main Methods:
- Survey administered to 115 parents of children aged 2-12 years admitted to hospital wards.
- Data collected on child sleep routines, problems, parental education, income, and sleep knowledge.
- Statistical analyses examined associations between demographic factors, parental knowledge, and sleep practices.
Main Results:
- Younger children had earlier bedtimes/wake times but more sleep problems.
- Higher parental income and education were linked to earlier sleep times and fewer sleep problems.
- Increased parental sleep knowledge correlated with earlier and more consistent sleep schedules.
- Misestimation of sleep needs by parents was associated with later bedtimes and longer sleep latencies.
Conclusions:
- Parental sleep knowledge, income, and education are key factors in establishing healthy childhood sleep routines.
- Interventions aimed at improving parental sleep knowledge may enhance children's sleep consistency.
- Understanding socioeconomic influences is vital for addressing pediatric sleep disparities.
Aim:
To describe parent reports of sleep practices, and examine associations with parent knowledge of child sleep, and whether children's sleep practices differ between parents who underestimated, overestimated or accurately estimated children's sleep needs.
Methods:
Parents of children aged 2-12 years (n = 115) attending hospital inpatient or day wards were approached and asked to report child sleep routines, sleep problems, parent education, household income and parent knowledge of child sleep via questionnaire.
Results:
Younger age was associated with earlier bedtimes and wake times, shorter sleep latencies, longer sleep durations and greater sleep problems (P < 0.05). Parents from higher income homes reported earlier bedtimes and wake times, shorter sleep latencies and fewer sleep problems (P < 0.05). Parents with higher education reported shorter sleep latencies (P < 0.05). Parents with greater knowledge about child sleep reported earlier weekday and weekend bedtimes (r s ≥ 0.26) and wake times (r s ≥ 0.21) and greater consistency between their child's weekend and weekday sleep routines (P < 0.05). In comparison with parents who correctly estimated their child's sleep needs: parents who underestimated reported later weekday bedtimes (on average, 46 min), and longer sleep latencies (17 min); parents who overestimated reported longer sleep latencies (22 min). These findings remained significant when controlling for child age (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Parents with increased sleep knowledge, higher incomes and higher levels of education were more likely to report earlier bedtimes, wake times and more consistent sleep routines for their children.
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