Sleep Disturbance in Caregivers of Children With Respiratory and Atopic Disease

Abstract

Deficient and poor-quality sleep in caregivers of children with chronic illness may have a significant impact on their health and well-being, as well as caregiving responsibilities. These data provide important information for pediatric psychologists working with these families.

Psychiatry outpatient visits by atopic dermatitis patients varying in the complexity of their prescriptions

“…[21] Thus, psychological stress and AD symptoms appear to form a vicious circle because the sleep disturbances experienced by AD patients result in inappropriate sleep quality and quantity and increase mental health problems, including psychiatric disorders. [14,22–24] …”

Parents of children referred to a sleep laboratory for disordered breathing reported anxiety, daytime sleepiness and poor sleep quality

“…Having a child with a chronic disease may also have a negative impact on a parent's well‐being. Indeed, numerous studies have reported that the parents of children affected by a large range of chronic diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, cystic fibrosis, neuromuscular diseases, autism, epilepsy and disabilities, suffer from impaired quality of sleep and quality of life, high levels of anxiety and depression and family problems . Moreover, it has been reported that parents who spend an average of one hour per night nursing their child have interrupted sleep, difficulties falling asleep and, as a consequence, chronic exhaustion .…”

The Impact of Atopic Dermatitis on Children’s Sleep Duration and Their Mother’s Suicidal Ideation

“…Parents of children with AD were 4-8 times more likely to sleep less than 6 hours on average, have shorter sleep duration, and be more prone to insomnia when compared to the parents of healthy children, and exhibit clear signs of sleep disturbances (Meltzer & Booster, 2016). In Lee et al's study (2009), consistent short sleep durations of less than 6 hours were associated with increased risk of suicidal ideation.…”