Parental psychopathology and sleep variation in children

Parent report of sleep habits in toddlers at risk for psychopathology was examined using a newly developed questionnaire. Total sleep time, bedtime struggles, sleep behavior, night waking, morning waking, and daytime sleepiness were assessed. Specific maternal diagnostic classification was not associated with the child's sleep, but general indices of mental illness were. Also, more competent child behavior was associated with better organized sleep. Poorly functioning families had children whose sleep habits were less optimal. The interpretation of sleep organization within the larger developmental psychopathology framework is discussed.