Infant sleep and anxiety disorders in early childhood: Findings from an Australian pregnancy cohort study

Kelli MacMillan; Declan Bourke; Stuart Watson; Andrew J Lewis; Douglas M. Teti; Helen L. Ball; Megan Galbally

doi:10.1002/icd.2501

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Infant sleep and anxiety disorders in early childhood: Findings from an Australian pregnancy cohort study

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Infant sleep and anxiety disorders in early childhood: Findings from an Australian pregnancy cohort study

Kelli MacMillan, Declan Bourke, Stuart Watson, Andrew J Lewis, Douglas M. Teti, Helen L. Ball and Megan Galbally

Infant and Child Development, Vol.33(4), e2501

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/icd.2501

Appears in Open Access via Read & Publish Agreements

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Abstract

child mental health

early childhood anxiety disorders

infant sleep

night waking

perinatal depression

Emphasis on continuous infant sleep overnight may be driven by parental concern of risk to child mental health outcomes. The Mercy Pregnancy and Emotional Wellbeing Study (MPEWS) examined whether infant sleep at 6 and 12 months postpartum predicts anxiety disorders at 2–4 years, and whether this is moderated by maternal depression, active physical comforting (APC) or maternal cognitions about infant sleep. Data included 349 women and infants. Infant sleep was measured using the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire and child anxiety disorders by the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment. The risk of developing generalised anxiety or social phobia disorders at 3–4 years was reduced by 42% (p = 0.001) and 31% (p = 0.001), respectively, for a one standard deviation increase in total sleep at 12 months. No other infant sleep outcomes were associated. Maternal depression, APC and cognitions about infant sleep did not significantly moderate these relationships. Focus may need to be on total infant sleep, rather than when sleep is achieved.

Details

Title: Infant sleep and anxiety disorders in early childhood: Findings from an Australian pregnancy cohort study
Authors/Creators: Kelli MacMillan (Author)
Declan Bourke
Stuart Watson
Andrew J Lewis - Murdoch University
Douglas M. Teti
Helen L. Ball
Megan Galbally - Murdoch University, Centre for Computational and Systems Medicine
Publication Details: Infant and Child Development, Vol.33(4), e2501
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Identifiers: 991005645370007891
Murdoch Affiliation: Murdoch University; Centre for Computational and Systems Medicine
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.137 Sleep Science & Circadian Systems; 1.137.349 Insomnia
Web Of Science research areas: Psychology, Developmental
ESI research areas: Psychiatry/Psychology