A 25-Year Review of Nighttime Fears in Children: Past, Present, and Future

Lewis, Krystal M.; Rafihi‐Ferreira, Renatha El; Freitag, Gabrielle F.; Coffman, Mary; Ollendick, Thomas H.

doi:10.1007/s10567-021-00354-4

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 92 publications

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“…Caregivers also recognized the need to reduce children's anxieties and fears, which included both specific (e.g., intruders) and nonspecific threats. Although occasional nighttime fears are a common, benign aspect of early childhood, 67 they comprised a pervasive theme among foster caregivers of children of all ages, suggesting that, for many children in foster care, sleep health is directly undermined by fear and anxious arousal at night. Finally, caregivers were asked which factors they believe to be most important in helping children sleep well.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Are the Sleep Problems of Children in the US Foster Care System Addressed?

Alfano

Valentine

Nogales

et al. 2022

J Dev Behav Pediatr

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Objective: Evidence of poor sleep health among children in foster care continues to mount, but information about whether and how sleep problems are addressed is unavailable. The goal of this study was to begin to fill these significant knowledge gaps. Methods: Four hundred eighty-five foster caregivers from across the United States completed a survey focused on the sleep health of one child, 4 to 11 years (M 5 6.4; SD 5 2.2) currently in their care. Caregivers provided quantitative and qualitative responses to questions regarding training, information, and services received in relation to their child's sleep. Caregivers also reported on the factors and strategies they perceived as most important for helping children in their care sleep well. Results: Only 13% of caregivers reported receiving any information/education about sleep from agencies or case workers, whereas 55% had sought help from a health provider related to their child's sleep. Nearly half of all caregivers (46%) reported giving their child melatonin. Caregivers reported that a bedtime routine/consistency, reassurance of safety/love, and a calming environment were most important for helping their child sleep well. A recurrent theme in qualitative responses was a need to mitigate child fear/anxiety at night. Conclusion: Children in foster care face a range of risk factors that increase the likelihood of poor/ insufficient sleep, but these findings suggest this critical aspect of health requires greater clinical and research attention. As these data were collected during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic, replication studies are necessary.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%