The Moderating Role of Parental Sleep Knowledge on Children with Developmental Disabilities and Their Parents’ Sleep
AbstractBackgroundChildren with intellectual and developmental difficulties often experience sleep problems, which in turn impact parental sleep. This study explored the role of parental sleep knowledge as a moderator on the relationship between child sleep and parental sleep impairment.Methods582 parents or carers of children with different developmental disabilities participated in an online survey. A moderated multiple regression analysis was conducted.ResultsParental sleep knowledge of child sleep moderated the relationship between child sleep nocturnal duration and parental sleep impairment. Although overall, sleep knowledge was high in this sample, two specific knowledge gaps were identified.ConclusionThis study has provided evidence that increased parental sleep knowledge can positively impact both child and parental sleep outcomes.