Child Sleep Linked to Child and Family Functioning in Children with Down Syndrome

Abstract

Sleep problems have a bi-directional impact on the daytime performance of children, parental well-being, and overall family functioning in the general population. Children with Down syndrome (DS) are at a high risk of sleep problems, yet the relationship between sleep problems, adaptive functioning, and family stress in children with DS is not well documented. We examined the relationship between sleep (i.e., duration and quality) and child and parent/family functioning. Sixty-six children with DS wore an actigraph for a week to assess their sleep duration and sleep efficiency. Their parents completed ratings on child sleep duration and parasomnias, child adaptive functioning, parental depression and sleep, and family stress. The parents’ reports of their children’s sleep duration were associated with parental depressive symptoms. The parents’ reports of their children’s restless sleep behaviors were associated with poorer performances in child-compliant/calm behaviors, worse parental sleep, and negative parental feelings and sibling relationships. The findings from actigraph measures of the children’s sleep demonstrated that greater sleep efficiency was associated with greater child adaptive functioning and fewer parental depressive symptoms. The study findings provide preliminary evidence that sleep problems are related to child adaptive functioning, parental functioning, and family stress in children with DS.

Behavioural sleep problems in children and adults with intellectual disabilities: An integrative literature review

“…However, Chawla, Bernard, et al (2021) found no relationship between sleep and cognition, functional ability or behaviour. Suggesting that these problems are not solely driven by sleep issues, with confounding variables such as physical problems and pain potentially affecting both sleep and behaviour (Chow et al, 2020; Esbensen et al, 2021).…”

“…People with additional diagnoses have increased likelihood of sleep issues, particularly those with autism (Ballester et al, 2019; Bishop‐Fitzpatrick & Rubenstein, 2019; Elrod & Hood, 2015; Gunes et al, 2019; Köse et al, 2017), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (Bakke et al, 2021; Chan et al, 2019; Esbensen, Vincent, et al, 2022), dementia or comorbid mental health conditions (Esbensen et al, 2018; Köse et al, 2017), comorbid physical health conditions (Esbensen et al, 2018), physical health conditions known to cause pain (Esbensen et al, 2021; Trickett et al, 2018) and sensory problems including hearing and visual disabilities (Stores, 2019).…”

“…Furthermore, parental physical and emotional wellbeing are also negatively impacted when the child has frequent disturbed sleep. Cross‐sectional and longitudinal effects have been found on reduced parental wellbeing, with greater deterioration following sleep disturbances that extended over a prolonged period of time (Choi et al, 2019; Esbensen et al, 2021; Mori et al, 2019).…”

Family adaptation in families of individuals with Down syndrome from 12 countries

“…Down syndrome (DS), the most common chromosomal condition associated with intellectual disability, affects both the functioning of the individual who has DS (Bull, 2020; Bull et al, 2022; Santoro et al, 2023) and the functioning of the individual's family (Caples et al, 2018; Esbensen et al, 2021; Lederman et al, 2015; Marchal et al, 2016; Povee et al, 2012; Pruktarat et al, 2021). Due to the health, developmental, and social challenges commonly associated with DS, some families of individuals with DS may experience increased stress, fatigue, burden, social isolation, and problematic functioning (Alam El‐Deen et al, 2021; Barros et al, 2017; de la Garza et al, 2023; Easler et al, 2022; Huiracocha et al, 2017; Lee et al, 2021; Mishra et al, 2023; Shetty et al, 2023; Spinazzi et al, 2023; Thomas, 2021).…”