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The Association and Mediators Between Sleep Problems in Autistic Children and Parenting Stress

Meiling Tang1,2, Min Li1, Meijiao Huang1

  • 1The Affiliated NanhuaHospital, Department of Neurology, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421002, People's Republic of China.

Psychology Research and Behavior Management
|April 18, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Sleep problems in autistic children significantly increase parental stress. Depressive symptoms in these children mediate this relationship, highlighting a crucial link for intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Mental Health

Background:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is associated with various challenges, including sleep disturbances and emotional symptoms.
  • Parenting stress is a significant concern for families raising children with ASD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between sleep problems, emotional symptoms, and parenting stress in autistic children.
  • To investigate the mediating role of emotional symptoms in the association between sleep problems and parenting stress.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 292 autistic children in Hunan province, China.
  • Utilized validated scales: Youth Self-Rating Insomnia Scale (YSIS), Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC), and The Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF-15).
  • Employed latent profile analysis, multivariate logistic regression, and mediation analysis.

Main Results:

  • Prevalence of sleep disturbance and insomnia symptoms were 38.7% and 13.0%, respectively.
  • Parenting stress was categorized into low (28%), middle (46%), and high-risk (26%) groups.
  • Sleep problems and emotional symptoms (anxiety, depression) were identified as risk factors for parental stress. Depressive symptoms mediated the link between insomnia and parenting stress.

Conclusions:

  • Sleep problems in autistic children significantly elevate parental stress.
  • Depressive symptoms in autistic children act as a mediator, exacerbating the impact of sleep issues on parenting stress.
Abstract

Keywords:
autistic childrenemotional symptomparenting stresssleep disturbancesleep problems

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