Stress, behaviour, and sleep problems in children with an intellectual disability

Abstract

Sleep problems are common in children with an intellectual disability, and occur more frequently than in typically developing children. Problems usually include settling difficulties, long sleep latencies, night waking, and early morning waking. Sleep problems are also likely to be stressful for other family members, particularly parents. This paper reports a study of children’s sleep problems, and their relationship with parent stress and coping, and child behaviour problems. Fifty-two children (age 2-19 years) with an intellectual disability (ID) and their families, and a comparison group of 25 typically developing children (age 2-17 years) and their families, participated in the study. Parents completed a sleep questionnaire, the Developmental Behaviour Checklist (DBC), the Parenting Hassles Scale (PHS). Analysis showed that the presence of sleep problems was significantly associated with both the intensity and frequency of hassles, and the presence of behaviour problems. Implications for children with an ID and their families, and for intervention are discussed.