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Maternal Perceived Work Schedule Flexibility Predicts Child Sleep Mediated by Bedtime Routines.
Soomi Lee1, Lauren Hale2, Lawrence M Berger3
1School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
Journal of Child and Family Studies
|July 29, 2025
Summary
Mothers' work schedule flexibility positively impacts child sleep duration and reduces sleep difficulties, primarily by improving bedtime routine adherence. This highlights work flexibility as a key factor in children's sleep health.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Sleep Science
- Sociology of Work
Background:
- Rigid work schedules negatively affect adult sleep.
- The impact of parental work schedule flexibility on child sleep is less understood.
- Maternal work schedule flexibility may influence children's sleep patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between mothers' perceived work schedule flexibility and their children's sleep.
- To investigate if bedtime routine adherence mediates these associations.
- To explore longitudinal changes in these relationships.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two-wave data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N=1040).
- Assessed maternal perceived work schedule flexibility, child bedtime adherence, sleep duration, and sleep onset difficulties at child ages 5 and 9.
- Employed cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.
Main Results:
- Higher maternal work schedule flexibility was linked to longer child sleep duration and fewer sleep onset difficulties, mediated by bedtime adherence.
- Increased maternal flexibility from ages 5 to 9 predicted better child bedtime adherence at age 9.
- Improved bedtime adherence at age 9 predicted longer child sleep duration at age 9.
- Increased maternal flexibility also directly reduced sleep onset difficulties, independent of bedtime adherence.
Conclusions:
- Maternal perceived work schedule flexibility is a significant social determinant of child sleep health.
- Bedtime routine adherence largely mediates the positive effects of work flexibility on child sleep.
- Interventions aimed at improving child sleep should consider enhancing parental work schedule flexibility and bedtime practices.
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