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Published on: October 11, 2018
Parental experiences of subjective well-being in the context of infant sleep problems
Jacomien Muller1, Tharina Guse1, Anathi Ntozini1
1Department of Psychology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Objective:
This study explored parental experiences of subjective well-being in the context of infant sleep problems.
Background:
Although quantitative research has highlighted the deleterious impact of infant sleep problems for parental well-being broadly, little is known about subjective experiences of well-being specifically.
Method:
This retrospective qualitative study formed part of a larger multiphase project. Ten parents who approached a sleep consultancy for assistance with infant sleep problems participated in the study. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and results were analysed thematically.
Results:
Two key themes were identified: (1) the negative influences of insufficient sleep on parental subjective well-being, and (2) the indirect influence of infant sleep problems on parental subjective well-being. Participants highlighted the direct influence of insufficient sleep on their life satisfaction, affect and mood. Further, through its impact on infant well-being and behaviour, and the loss of free time, infant sleep problems indirectly negatively influenced parental subjective well-being. As a result, life satisfaction and affect was deleteriously influenced.
Conclusion:
Parental subjective well-being may be deleteriously influenced by infant sleep problems, both directly through insufficient sleep and indirectly through the impact of infant sleep problems.
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