Association between Maternal Psychological Well-being and Sleep Challenges in Preschool-aged Children

Introduction: Sleep disturbances are common in early childhood and may significantly affect overall health and development. This study aimed to investigate the association between specific sleep challenges in preschool-aged children and maternal mental health status, including anxiety, stress, and depression. Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted between October 2018 and September 2019, evaluated 167 children aged 2-5 years. Child sleep problems were assessed using the Persian version of the BEARS questionnaire, which screens for bedtime difficulties, excessive daytime sleepiness, nighttime awakenings, regular sleep patterns, and snoring. Maternal mental health status was assessed using the short form of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to examine associations between child sleep problems and maternal mental health variables. Results: The mean age of the children was 3.61±1.05 years. The most frequently reported issue was nighttime awakenings (52.7%, 95% CI: 45.1-60.3). The mean sleep duration for all participants was 10.3±1.2 hours. A significant positive association was observed between total child sleep problems and elevated levels of maternal anxiety (B = 1.71, P = 0.003). Additionally, maternal stress was significantly associated with bedtime difficulties (B = 1.96, P = 0.04). Conclusion: Sleep problems are highly prevalent among preschool-aged children, particularly concerning nighttime awakenings. These findings indicate a significant association between child sleep issues and maternal mental health, revealing how maternal depression, anxiety, and stress can influence their children’s sleep patterns