Parental stress is associated with poor sleep quality in parents caring for children with developmental disabilities

Citation

Gallagher S, Phillips AC & Carroll D (2010) Parental stress is associated with poor sleep quality in parents caring for children with developmental disabilities. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 35 (7), pp. 728-737. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsp093

Abstract
Objective  This study examined the psychosocial predictors of poor sleep quality in parents caring for children with developmental disabilities.  Methods  Sixty-seven parents of children with developmental disabilities and 42 parents of typically developing children completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and measures of parental stress, child problem behaviors, and social support.  Results  Parents of children with developmental disabilities reported poorer sleep quality. Further, the majority of these parents met the established ‘poor sleepers’ criterion. The strongest predictor of poor sleep quality was parental stress. This finding withstood adjustment for a number of potential confounders.  Conclusions  Parental stress is associated with poor sleep quality in parents of children with developmental disabilities. The monitoring and management of sleep issues in these parental caregivers should be a priority for health professionals.

Keywords
behavior problems; developmental disabilities; sleep; social support; stress

Journal
Journal of Pediatric Psychology: Volume 35, Issue 7

People

Professor Anna Whittaker

Professor of Behavioural Medicine, Sport