Adam T Newton1, Penny V Corkum2,3,4, Sarah Blunden5, Graham J Reid1,6,7. 1. Department of Psychology, the University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada. 2. Departments of Psychology & Neuroscience and Psychiatry at Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada. 3. Department of Pediatrics, IWK Health, Halifax, NS, Canada. 4. ADHD Clinical, Colchester East Hants Health Center, NS Health, Canada. 5. Central Queensland University, Adelaide, Australia. 6. Departments of Family Medicine and Paediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, the University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada. 7. Children's Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Behavioral sleep problems affect 25% of children and impact functioning, but little is known about help-seeking for these problems. We identified (1) predictors for sleep problem perception and help-seeking, using nested-logit regression and (2) reasons why parents did not seek professional help for sleep problems, using chi-square. METHODS: Parents (N = 407) of children (2-10-years-old) completed the study online. Parents indicated whether their child had no sleep problem, a mild problem, or a moderate-to-severe problem and completed additional questionnaires on parent/child functioning. RESULTS: Overall, 5.4% ± 2.2% of parents sought professional help for a child sleep problem. Greater child sleep problem severity and greater child socioemotional problems were significant predictors of parents perceiving a sleep problem. Among parents who perceived a sleep problem, greater parental socioemotional problems significantly predicted professional help-seeking. Parents who perceived no problem or a mild sleep problem reported not needing professional help as the main reason for not seeking help; parents who perceived a moderate-to-severe problem reported logistic barriers most often (e.g. treatment unavailability, cost). CONCLUSIONS: Problem perception and help-seeking predictors resemble the children's mental health literature. Differences in barriers, based on problem severity, suggest differential help-seeking interventions are needed (e.g. education vs access).
OBJECTIVES: Behavioral sleep problems affect 25% of children and impact functioning, but little is known about help-seeking for these problems. We identified (1) predictors for sleep problem perception and help-seeking, using nested-logit regression and (2) reasons why parents did not seek professional help for sleep problems, using chi-square. METHODS: Parents (N = 407) of children (2-10-years-old) completed the study online. Parents indicated whether their child had no sleep problem, a mild problem, or a moderate-to-severe problem and completed additional questionnaires on parent/child functioning. RESULTS: Overall, 5.4% ± 2.2% of parents sought professional help for a child sleep problem. Greater child sleep problem severity and greater child socioemotional problems were significant predictors of parents perceiving a sleep problem. Among parents who perceived a sleep problem, greater parental socioemotional problems significantly predicted professional help-seeking. Parents who perceived no problem or a mild sleep problem reported not needing professional help as the main reason for not seeking help; parents who perceived a moderate-to-severe problem reported logistic barriers most often (e.g. treatment unavailability, cost). CONCLUSIONS: Problem perception and help-seeking predictors resemble the children's mental health literature. Differences in barriers, based on problem severity, suggest differential help-seeking interventions are needed (e.g. education vs access).
Authors: Claudia Roberta de Castro Moreno; Silvia G Conway; Márcia Assis; Pedro Rodrigues Genta; Daniela V Pachito; Almir Tavares; Danilo A Sguillar; Gustavo Moreira; Luciano F Drager; Andrea Bacelar Journal: Sleep Sci Date: 2022 Jan-Mar