O023 Differences in infant and parental sleep in a multi-national study

Abstract Objectives This study investigated cross-country differences in infant and maternal sleep across Korea, the U.S.A., and Australia. Methods Participants were 2005 mother-infant dyads (infant Mage = 13.82 months, SDage = 6.23 months) from Australia (n = 73), Korea (n = 222), and the U.S.A. (n = 1710). Mothers completed the Insomnia Severity Index, Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes About Sleep, and the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire – Revised postpartum and were grouped (6, 12, and 24 months) dependent on infant age. Data were analysed using multiple regressions. Results Korean mothers had higher insomnia symptoms compared to Australian and U.S.A. mothers at all timepoints (p’s < .002). Mean DBAS scores were higher for Korean compared to U.S.A. and Australian mothers (p’s < .007). Compared to U.S.A. infants at all timepoints and to Australian infants at 12- and 24 months, Korean infants had shorter nighttime TST (p’s < .040) and longer SOL (p’s < .003). Bedsharing was associated with lower insomnia symptoms in Korean mothers at 24 months (p=.043). Co-sleeping was not significantly associated with insomnia and DBAS scores (p’s > .164). Conclusions Korean mothers had higher insomnia and DBAS scores, which did not differ by co-sleeping status; Korean infants had shorter nighttime TST, and longer SOL. Bedsharing in Korea was protective against insomnia symptoms at 24 months. Further exploration into the mechanisms of sleep changes is required to tailor future interventions for diverse backgrounds.