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BMC Pediatrics
Published in: BMC Pediatrics 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research article

Attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of caregivers and rehabilitation providers about disabled children’s sleep health: a qualitative study

Authors: Xiaoli Chen, Bizu Gelaye, Juan Carlos Velez, Micah Pepper, Sara Gorman, Clarita Barbosa, Ross D Zafonte, Susan Redline, Michelle A Williams

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

Children with disabilities are more likely to have sleep disturbances than children without disabilities. Identifying attitudes, beliefs, knowledge, and perceptions of caregivers and health professionals is essential in developing effective intervention programs to improve disabled children’s sleep health. However, no such qualitative data about adults who have key roles in the life and daytime activities of children with disabilities are available. This qualitative study aimed to understand attitudes, beliefs, knowledge, and perceptions about disabled children’s sleep hygiene among caregivers and rehabilitation providers of children with disabilities.

Methods

Twenty seven adults, including nine primary caregivers and eighteen rehabilitation providers, participated in five focus group discussions between September and December 2012 at the Rehabilitation Center in Punta Arenas, Chile. A trained facilitator guided focus group discussions using a semi-structured script. Audiotapes and transcripts of focus group discussions were reviewed and analyzed for recurrent themes.

Results

Participants identified seven themes related to children’s sleep hygiene: lifestyle behaviors, family factors, children’s disabilities and/or comorbidities, environmental factors, adults’ responsibilities for children’s sleep, perception of good sleep, and parental distress about children’s sleep problems. While both caregivers and rehabilitation providers recognized the importance of sleep for children’s health and functioning, they differed in their understanding of how sleep hygiene practices influence sleep. Rehabilitation providers recognized the negative influence of electronics on sleep and the positive influence of sleep routines. In contrast, caregivers reported use of television/movie watching and stimulants as coping strategies for managing children’s sleep problems.

Conclusions

Caregivers may benefit from better understanding the influence of electronics and stimulant use on child sleep health. Rehabilitation providers are well positioned to provide educational messages to both children and caregivers in order to change their attitudes, perceptions, and practices surrounding sleep. These qualitative data are valuable in developing intervention programs aimed at improving sleep health among children with disabilities.
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Metadata
Title
Attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of caregivers and rehabilitation providers about disabled children’s sleep health: a qualitative study
Authors
Xiaoli Chen
Bizu Gelaye
Juan Carlos Velez
Micah Pepper
Sara Gorman
Clarita Barbosa
Ross D Zafonte
Susan Redline
Michelle A Williams
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2431-14-245

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