In or out of sync? Concordance between parent and adolescent sleep varies by family context

Abstract

Evidence suggests significant interrelations among parent and adolescent sleep (i.e., concordance). However, less is known regarding how parent–adolescent sleep concordance varies as a function of the family context. This study examined daily and average concordance between parent and adolescent sleep and explored adverse parenting and family functioning (e.g., cohesion, flexibility) as potential moderators. One hundred and twenty‐four adolescents (Mage = 12.90) and their parents (93% mothers) wore actigraphy watches assessing sleep duration, efficiency, and midpoint across 1 week. Multilevel models indicated daily (within‐family) concordance between parent and adolescent sleep duration and midpoint. Average (between‐family) concordance was found for sleep midpoint only. Family flexibility was linked with greater daily concordance in sleep duration and midpoint, whereas adverse parenting predicted discordance in average sleep duration and efficiency.