Longitudinal relations between maternal depressive symptoms and child sleep problems: the role of parasympathetic nervous system reactivity. (9th October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Keller, Peggy S.; Kouros, Chrystyna D.; Erath, Stephen A.; Dahl, Ronald E.; El‐Sheikh, Mona
• Is Part Of: Journal of child psychology and psychiatry and allied disciplines. Volume 55:Number 2(2014:Feb.)
• Page Start: 172
• Page End: 179
• Publication Date: 2013-10-09
• Subjects: Child psychology -- Periodicals; Child psychiatry -- Periodicals; 155.4
• DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.12151
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9630

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jcpp12151-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jcpp12151-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>We examined maternal depressive symptoms (MDS) as longitudinal predictors of actigraphy‐measured sleep; children's respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) was tested as a moderator of these relations.</p> </sec> <sec id="jcpp12151-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Method</title> <p>A total of 271 children (145 boys and 126 girls) participated in a three‐wave study (<italic>M</italic> age at T1 = 9.38 years), with a 1‐year lag between waves. Children wore actigraphs to derive sleep parameters. RSA reactivity was assessed during a social stress test.</p> </sec> <sec id="jcpp12151-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Contrary to hypotheses, MDS were related to less sleep over time for children exhibiting greater RSA withdrawal. Consistent with hypotheses, MDS were related longitudinally to decreased sleep activity for children exhibiting less RSA withdrawal.</p> </sec> <sec id="jcpp12151-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Findings illustrate the importance of maternal influences and physiological regulation as predictors of children's sleep.</p> </sec> </abstract>