Sleep disturbances in caregivers of children with medical needs: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Date
2021
Authors
Vincent, G.E.
Kovac, K.
Sprajcer, M.
Jay, S.M.
Reynolds, A.C.
Dorrian, J.
Thomas, M.J.W.
Ferguson, S.A.
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Journal article
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Health Psychology, 2021; 40(4):263-273
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Abstract
Objective: The sleep of individuals who provide unpaid care for children with medical needs is likely to be significantly impacted by this role. Sleep may be affected by the practical tasks undertaken during the night (e.g., administering medication), in addition to the emotional impact (e.g. worry, rumination). The aim of this systematic review was to examine the available literature on the impact of caregiving for children with medical needs on caregivers’ sleep.Methods: Electronic databases including Pubmed, Medline and Web of Science were searched using pre-determined criteria. Studies were included if they used validated subjective or objective measures of caregiver sleep, in contexts where caregivers were providing care for one or more children with medical needs. Data on study population, research design and outcome measures were extracted, and study quality was reviewed by two authors.Results: Search criteria produced 2,172 studies for screening. Based on inclusion criteria, 40 studies were included in the final review. Sleep of caregivers of children with medical needs were poorer than those for non-caregivers. Poor sleep included reduced sleep duration, impaired sleep efficiency, increased wake after sleep onset and perceived poorer sleep quality.Conclusions: Providing unpaid care for child(ren) with medical needs is associated with sleep disturbances, including less total sleep, and poorer sleep quality.
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Copyright 2021 American Psychological Association
Access Condition Notes: Accepted manuscript available on Open Access