Decoding maternal perceptions: divergent predictors of perceived infant sleep problems and temperament.

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Developmental Psychology
• Maternal Mental Health

Background:

• Maternal reports are crucial for infant sleep and temperament data.
• Maternal psychological factors can influence these perceptions.
• Longitudinal data on this relationship are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the longitudinal relationship between maternal sleep quality, depressive symptoms, and perceived infant temperament and sleep difficulties.
• To identify distinct predictors for maternal perceptions of infant sleep and temperament.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study of 76 mothers and infants at 6 and 12 months postpartum.
• Utilized questionnaires including the Infant Sleep Questionnaire, Infant Behavior Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.
• Employed seemingly unrelated regression and Shapley value decomposition for predictive analysis.

Main Results:

• Perceived infant sleep difficulties and negative temperament were correlated at 6 and 12 months.
• Infant sleep problems at 12 months were mainly predicted by nighttime awakenings.
• Maternal depressive symptoms and infant sleep difficulties at 6 months predicted negative infant temperament at 12 months.

Conclusions:

• Maternal perceptions of infant sleep and temperament have different underlying predictors.
• Infant sleep behaviors are primary drivers of perceived sleep issues.
• Maternal psychological well-being is a significant factor in perceived infant temperament, informing targeted interventions.