Parenting and maternal reported child sleep problems in infancy predict school-age aggression and inattention

Abstract

Objective: To examine caregiving predictors of maternal reported sleep problems and child behavioral and cognitive outcomes in early childhood.

Design: A prospective longitudinal study from 6 to 84 months of age.

Setting: Lab visits, assessments, and questionnaires conducted with a community-based sample.

Participants: One hundred sixty-four African American and White children, their mothers, and teachers.

Measurement: Parenting behavior was measured during a free-play task at 6 months of age, maternal-report of child sleep problems was completed at 6 timepoints, and teacher report of child aggression and attention was collected in kindergarten and second grade.

Results: Latent growth curve modeling revealed that maternal reported sleep problems decreased in children from 18 to 84 months and harsh-intrusive parenting at 6 months predicted sleep problems at 18 months. Maternal reported sleep problems at 18 months predicted aggressive behaviors in kindergarten and second grade.

Conclusion: Parenting at 6 months of age exerts an influence on sleep quality at 18 months which is associated with aggressive behavior in early childhood.

Keywords: Aggression; Attention; Early childhood; Infancy; Parenting; Sleep problems.