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[Sleep disorders in early childhood: developmental psychopathologic model and pilot study]
1Kinderzentrum München.
Insights
Infant sleep disorders often stem from early self-regulation issues, impacting parental well-being. Addressing parental coping strategies is crucial for managing night-waking and improving infant sleep.
Area of Science:
- Developmental psychology
- Pediatric sleep medicine
Context:
- Sleep disorders are prevalent in early childhood with lasting effects.
- Night-waking is a common and emotionally taxing issue for infants and parents.
Purpose:
- To present an integrative concept of infant sleep disorders.
- To explore the role of self-regulation and parental factors.
- To examine implications for behavioral therapy and counseling.
Summary:
- Sleep disorders conceptualized as linked to infant self-regulation deficits and parental coping.
- Pilot study data (20 infants, 7-24 months) indicate higher maternal stress and lower control in affected families.
- Night-waking is associated with significant negative emotional valence.
Impact:
- Highlights the importance of parental cognitive processes in managing infant sleep.
- Suggests therapeutic interventions should address parental self-efficacy and mood.
- Provides a framework for understanding and treating early childhood sleep disturbances.
Abstract:
Sleep disorders are early childhood problems with a relatively high prevalence and persistence. An integrative concept is presented which conceptualizes sleep disorders as a result of early self-regulation problems in the infants and various but unsuccessful soothing strategies, parental depressive mood, loss of feelings of self-efficacy and control. Experiences in behavioral therapy underline the importance of parental cognitive processes in coping with night-waking. Data from a pilot-study are presented which included 20 infants (7-24 months). Questionnaires show that the infants are perceived as more difficult, their mothers feel more stressed and depressed, less in control of the problem than a control group. Night-waking has a strong emotional negative valence. Implications for counseling are discussed.