Maternal perceptions of advice on sleep in young children: how, what and when

Hatton, R. E.M. and Gardani, M. (2018) Maternal perceptions of advice on sleep in young children: how, what and when. British Journal of Health Psychology, 23(2), pp. 476-495. (doi: 10.1111/bjhp.12300) (PMID:29484796)

Abstract

Objectives: Parental knowledge on sleep hygiene in children may be a contributing factor for sleep difficulties in preschoolers. As sleep is crucial for healthy development, it is important to understand how parental knowledge can be improved. The aim of this qualitative study was to develop an understanding of advice available in the United Kingdom (UK) on sleep in young children. Design: This study employed constructivist grounded theory methodology. Methods: Participants were recruited via social media and a previously constructed participant database. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed. Results: Fourteen mothers were interviewed independently, whilst one mother was interviewed together with her husband. Themes relating to how UK mothers wish advice on sleep to be formulated, what they believe it should include and when they would like to receive it, were identified from the data. Specifically, this study suggests that UK mothers value experience and thus recommends that advice be made through collaboration projects involving both professionals and parents. It also suggests that advice should be readily available and given to expecting parents prior to the arrival of their baby as well as at regular follow-ups. In addition, the participating mothers wanted advice to be balanced and non-judgemental. Conclusion: This study looks at the views of mainly White British mothers currently residing within the United Kingdom. Thus, it may not represent the views of everyone in the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, it still makes important recommendations for practice. For example, relationships between health professionals and parents need to be improved and information on different sleeping practices widely dispersed.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gardani, Dr Maria
• Authors: Hatton, R. E.M., and Gardani, M.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Psychology
• Journal Name: British Journal of Health Psychology
• Publisher: British Psychological Society
• ISSN: 1359-107X
• ISSN (Online): 2044-8287
• Published Online: 27 February 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 The British Psychological Society
• First Published: First published in British Journal of Health Psychology 23(2):476-495
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher