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Parental Mental Health, Fathers' Involvement and Bedtime Resistance in Infants

Benedetta Ragni1, Simona De Stasio2, Daniela Barni2

  • 1LUMSA University, P.zza delle Vaschette, 101 00193, Rome, Italy. b.ragni@lumsa.it.

Italian Journal of Pediatrics
|November 3, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Consistent bedtime routines and paternal involvement significantly reduce infant sleep problems. These factors help parents manage bedtime difficulties, promoting better infant sleep patterns.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Science
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Family Studies

Background:

  • Infant sleep disturbances affect 20-30% of 6-month-olds.
  • Parental factors significantly influence infant sleep development.
  • This study examines infant and parental influences on bedtime difficulties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the combined effect of infant temperament, sleep onset issues, and parental factors on infant bedtime difficulties.
  • To investigate maternal and paternal perspectives on infant sleep challenges.
  • To identify predictors of infant bedtime struggles.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 60 Italian two-parent families with infants aged 8-12 months.
  • Parents completed self-report questionnaires on infant and parental factors.
  • Multiple linear regressions and relative weight analyses were used to identify predictors.

Main Results:

  • Consistent bedtime routines and paternal involvement predicted fewer bedtime difficulties for fathers.
  • Mothers' reports indicated that longer sleep onset time, consistent routines, and paternal involvement predicted fewer difficulties.
  • Both maternal and paternal perspectives highlighted the protective role of routines and paternal involvement.

Conclusions:

  • Consistent bedtime routines and paternal involvement are key protective factors for infant sleep.
  • Findings underscore the importance of familial influences on infant sleep patterns.
  • Recommendations for families, professionals, and the public on infant sleep are suggested.
Abstract

Keywords:
Bedtime routinesPaternal involvementSleep

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