The effect of implementing infant and child sleep interventions on parental well-being

Abstract

This study examined how child sleep interventions affect facets of parental well-being, in order to develop guidelines which may support such well-being during the implementation of sleep interventions. In order to meet this aim, a multiphase mixed methods research design was implemented. During Phase I, a survey consisting of several questionnaires was employed to determine the incidence of subjective well-being, couple satisfaction, stress and depression among parents of children with sleep problems (n = 119). Only mothers opted to complete this phase of the study. During Phase II the sleep intervention was implemented. During Phase III a posttest was employed to determine how levels of subjective well-being, couple satisfaction, stress and depression changed after sleep intervention implementation (n = 77). Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests for data that were normally distributed. A Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for one measure that did not meet the criteria for normality. An exploratory qualitative design, implementing semi-structured interviews, was further utilized to explore 11 parents’ experiences of well-being during the intervention. Qualitative data were thematically analysed. During Phase IV, findings were integrated and guidelines to support parental well-being during implementation of sleep interventions was developed. Results from Phase I suggested that the mothers experienced high levels of life satisfaction and positive affect. Moderate levels of couple satisfaction and stress were evident, and the sample experienced mild postnatal depression. In Phase III, quantitative data indicated that mothers who implemented sleep interventions experienced significant improvements in satisfaction with life, affect, postnatal depression, and perceived stress. Qualitative data indicated that parents felt substantial improvements occurred regarding their overall well-being as a result of the sleep intervention. In particular, improvements in child well-being, improved routine and improved sleep facilitated these experiences. Guidelines to support parental well-being when implementing sleep interventions were proposed.