Bedtime behaviors: Parental mental health, parental sleep, parental accommodation, and children’s sleep disturbance

Abstract

The present study examined relationships among parental mental health and sleep, parental bedtime accommodation behaviors, and children’s sleep disturbances. Parental bedtime accommodations (see Table 2 for items) were assessed using a novel measure modified from an existing measure of parental accommodations for pediatric OCD. Participants (N = 282) were parents of children 2 to 12 years of age. Results indicated parental mental health and sleep predicted higher levels of parental accommodation. Greater parental accommodation and sleep problems uniquely predicted increased disturbances in children’s sleep. Findings could inform assessments and treatments of children’s sleep disturbance and identification of familial patterns.