Sleep quality among parents and their children during COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: To evaluate sleep characteristics of parents and their children during the COVID-19 pandemic and predictors for sleep disturbances. Methods: Cross-sectional web-based study using an online survey made available for dyads of parents and their children during the 7 th week of quarantine in southern Brazil. Parents' and adolescents' sleep were characterized using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. For children aged 0-3 years parents completed the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire, for those aged 4-12 years the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children. Parents also informed, subjectively, their perception about sleep habits during social distancing. Multiple regression was run to predict sleep disturbances in adults using independent variables: sex, income, education, children age, and children with sleep disturbances. Results: Data from 577 dyads showed sleep alterations in 69,8% of adults, in 58,6% of children aged 0-3 years, 33,9% in the 4-12 years range (with a predominance of disorders of initiating or maintaining sleep), and 56,6% in adolescents. Sex (female) and children with sleep disturbances were significant predictors of a sleep problem in parents (p < 0.005). Subjective perception revealed complaints related to emotional concerns such as anxiety and fear in adults and due to alterations in routine in children and adolescents. Conclusion: The present study's data showed an increased rate of sleep problems among families during quarantine both measured by validated instruments and also based on personal perception. (C) 2021 Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda.

Automated summary

The objective of this study was to evaluate the sleep characteristics of parents and children during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify predictors for sleep disturbances. The results showed a high prevalence of sleep problems among both adults and children during quarantine. Being female and having children with sleep disturbances were significant predictors for sleep problems in parents. Subjective perception revealed that emotional concerns such as anxiety and fear affected adults' sleep, while children and adolescents were affected by changes in their daily routines.