A Qualitative Study of How Preschoolers’ Problematic Sleep Impacts Mothers

ABSTRACT

Background: Sleep disturbances are common among preschool-aged children. As children’s problematic sleep is commonly defined by subjective reports from parents as to how the issue affects them, we took a qualitative approach to explore the perceptions and experiences of mothers and main caregivers of preschoolers with problematic sleep. The aim was to understand their firsthand experiences. Methods: Purposive sampling was used to identify mothers of 3- to 4-year-olds whose sleep was a problem for them. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 16 mothers. The interviews were analyzed for anticipated and emergent themes, the latter generated from exploring the impact of the child’s sleep problems on the mother herself. Results: Mothers described difficulties mainly with bedtime resistance and night waking and the adverse consequences affecting siblings and partners. Predominant themes falling under the umbrella of emotional responses (e.g., resignation, guilt or shame, confusion or frustration, and defeat) and daytime functioning (e.g., exhaustion, moodiness, poorer concentration, less socializing) emerged from mothers describing the impact the child’s sleep problem had on her personally. Conclusions: This study highlights the overwhelming impact a child’s sleep problems can have on a mother both emotionally and physically, and expressions of shame and guilt suggest some mothers assume much of the responsibility for their child’s sleep problem. The findings provide insight into understanding mothers’ personal responses in dealing with their preschoolers’ sleep that could be useful to assist health professionals in history taking and establishing a treatment plan.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the mothers who participated in this study and Carmen Lobb for research assistance. Interviews were transcribed by the Document Doctor Transcription and Formatting Service, Mosgiel, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Funding

Laurelle Smith was supported by a Freemasons of New Zealand Fellowship in Paediatrics. The study was funded by an H. S. and J. C. Anderson Trust grant.

Additional information

Funding

Laurelle Smith was supported by a Freemasons of New Zealand Fellowship in Paediatrics. The study was funded by an H. S. and J. C. Anderson Trust grant.