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The relationship between child and caregiver sleep in acute lymphoblastic leukemia maintenance
Lauren C Daniel1,2, Colleen M Walsh3, Lisa J Meltzer4,5
1Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, Camden, 311 North 5th Street, Camden, NJ, 08102, USA. Lauren.Daniel@Rutgers.edu.
Insights
Poor sleep is prevalent in caregivers of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Interventions should target caregivers of young children, those with poor sleep, and those experiencing high guilt and worry.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Sleep Medicine
- Psychosocial Oncology
Background:
- Caregivers of children undergoing cancer treatment face significant challenges.
- Sleep disturbances are common but understudied in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe sleep quality and disturbance in caregivers of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
- To examine the relationship between caregiver sleep, child sleep disturbance, and caregiver guilt/worry.
Main Methods:
- 68 caregivers of children (ages 3-12) with ALL completed validated questionnaires.
- Measures included caregiver guilt/worry, caregiver sleep quality, and child sleep habits.
- Correlates of poor caregiver sleep and moderation by guilt/worry were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Over half of caregivers (55.9%) reported clinically significant poor sleep.
- Caregiver sleep quality was associated with child's age at diagnosis, child's sleep, and caregiver guilt/worry.
- Caregiver guilt and worry did not moderate the child-caregiver sleep relationship.
Conclusions:
- Poor sleep is a common issue for caregivers of children with cancer.
- Future research should focus on optimal timing and targets for sleep interventions.
- Interventions may benefit caregivers of young children, those with existing sleep problems, and those with high guilt/worry.
Purpose:
The purposes of this study are to describe sleep quality and sleep disturbance among caregivers of children in the maintenance phase of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and to examine the relationship between sleep quality, child sleep disturbance, and caregiver guilt and worry.
Methods:
Caregivers of 68 children with ALL, ages 3 to 12 years old, completed measures of caregiver guilt and worry, caregiver sleep quality, and child's developmental history and sleep habits. Demographic and treatment correlates of poor caregiver sleep were examined, and caregiver guilt and worry was tested as a moderator between child and caregiver sleep.
Results:
More than half of caregivers (55.9%) reported clinically significant poor sleep and less than 40% were obtaining adequate sleep durations. Caregiver sleep was significantly related to child age at diagnosis, child sleep, and caregiver guilt and worry. Caregiver guilt and worry did not moderate the relationship between child sleep and caregiver sleep.
Conclusions:
Poor sleep is common in caregivers of children with cancer. Further research on the timing of sleep interventions and the most effective intervention targets are needed to maximize caregiver functioning during a child's cancer treatment. Targeted interventions seeking to improve caregiver sleep should be directed towards caregivers of children diagnosed in early childhood, caregivers of children with poor sleep, and caregivers with high guilt and worry.
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