Parents’ experiences of psychoeducational sleep management interventions: A qualitative study of parents of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Abstract

Psychoeducational approaches to managing behavioural sleep problems in children with neurodisabilities are directed at the parent, increasing their knowledge and understanding of sleep and requiring them to change the way they manage sleep disturbance. Given parental engagement with and adherence to an intervention are critical to its success, it is important we understand parents' experiences of participating in interventions of this nature. It is surprising therefore that, to date, research in this area is extremely limited. This paper reports the findings from a qualitative study of 35 parents who had received a psychoeducational sleep management intervention delivered through one of the following modes: a half-day workshop (n=8); a four session group-delivered intervention (n=15); one-to-one work with a specialist sleep practitioner (n=12). The study was part of a larger programme of work evaluating sleep management interventions for children with developmental disorders and/or autistic spectrum conditions. Purposeful sampling was used to represent: intervention outcome, child's diagnosis, parents' education, and partner involvement in the intervention. Focus groups and individual interviews were used to gather data. The data were subject to a thematic analysis in relation to: a) parents' descriptions of the processes by which a sleep management intervention (SMI) leads to improvements in their child's sleep; b) parents' views of the factors which hinder the achievement of positive intervention outcomes; and c) parents' views on intervention intensity and mode of delivery. The implications of the findings in terms the design, content and delivery of such interventions are discussed.

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