Abstract
Cognitive theories emphasise the role of dysfunctional beliefs about sleep in the development and maintenance of sleep-related
problems (SRPs). The present research examines how parents’ dysfunctional beliefs about children’s sleep and child dysfunctional
beliefs about sleep are related to each other and to children’s subjective and objective sleep. Participants were 45 children
aged 11–12 years and their parents. Self-report measures of dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and child sleep were completed
by children, mothers and fathers. Objective measures of child sleep were taken using actigraphy. The results showed that child
dysfunctional beliefs about sleep were correlated with father (r = 0.43, p < 0.05) and mother (r = 0.43, p < 0.05) reported child SRPs, and with Sleep Onset Latency (r = 0.34, p < 0.05). Maternal dysfunctional beliefs about child sleep were related to child SRPs as reported by mothers (r = 0.44, p < 0.05), and to child dysfunctional beliefs about sleep (r = 0.37, p < 0.05). Some initial evidence was found for a mediation pathway in which child dyfunctional beliefs mediate the relationship
between parent dysfunctional beliefs and child sleep. The results support the cognitive model of SRPs and contribute to the
literature by providing the first evidence of familial aggregation of dysfunctional beliefs about sleep.
problems (SRPs). The present research examines how parents’ dysfunctional beliefs about children’s sleep and child dysfunctional
beliefs about sleep are related to each other and to children’s subjective and objective sleep. Participants were 45 children
aged 11–12 years and their parents. Self-report measures of dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and child sleep were completed
by children, mothers and fathers. Objective measures of child sleep were taken using actigraphy. The results showed that child
dysfunctional beliefs about sleep were correlated with father (r = 0.43, p < 0.05) and mother (r = 0.43, p < 0.05) reported child SRPs, and with Sleep Onset Latency (r = 0.34, p < 0.05). Maternal dysfunctional beliefs about child sleep were related to child SRPs as reported by mothers (r = 0.44, p < 0.05), and to child dysfunctional beliefs about sleep (r = 0.37, p < 0.05). Some initial evidence was found for a mediation pathway in which child dyfunctional beliefs mediate the relationship
between parent dysfunctional beliefs and child sleep. The results support the cognitive model of SRPs and contribute to the
literature by providing the first evidence of familial aggregation of dysfunctional beliefs about sleep.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10826-012-9637-6
- Authors
- Ashlen San Ng, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Helen F. Dodd, Department of Psychology, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ UK
- Amanda L. Gamble, NHMRC Centre for Integrated Research and Understanding of Sleep (CIRUS), The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Jennifer L. Hudson, Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Journal Journal of Child and Family Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-2843
- Print ISSN 1062-1024