[Background factors of childhood sleep disorders: interparental conflicts, parent-child attachment, parenting style and the quality of parent-child relationship].

Abstract

According to the literature, 20–30% of healthy developing children experience some kind of sleep problem in childhood. In infants and young children, sleep deprivation and disruption of the physiological sleep rhythm, in addition to daytime fussiness, have long-term effects on all areas of development (motor, cognitive, language and emotional development). In older children and adolescents, they can lead to daytime fatigue and distraction in the short term, but over time they can have more severe effects, ranging from reduced mental and physical performance to mood swings and even depressive and anxiety symptoms. It is therefore particularly important to be aware of all environmental factors that may be associated with the development of sleep problems in childhood. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of research on children’s sleep problems in a family context, as family functioning in childhood is a key determinant of children’s sleep quality. The quality of the relationship between parents, parents’ conflict resolution strategies, functionality in their parenting role, parents’ mental health, the quality of attachment with the child, parents’ parenting style and bedtime rituals all play an important role in the emergence of sleep problems. Considering the long-term negative consequences of sleep problems, it is worth thinking about effective interventional options. It can be said that when a parent consults their doctor about their child’s sleep problems, it is worthwhile to look at the functionality of the family, the quality of the parents’ relationship and the quality of the parent-child relationship. If problems are found in these areas, after a specialist treatment, it is worth suggesting child-parent consultation, parent consultation, and possibly couple therapy and family therapy options in order to find a comprehensive and long-term solution to the problem. Orv Hetil. 2024; 165(17): 652–663.