Evaluation of Possums Sleep Intervention: a pilot feasibility study
Date
2018
Authors
Closson, Lia, author
Biringen, Zeynep, advisor
Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member
Willams, Elizabeth, committee member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
The first year after the birth of a child is one of the most challenging times for mothers due to disrupted sleep associated with disorganized infant sleep. Research has shown that persistent fragmented maternal sleep increases a mother's risk of developing depression and negatively influences her overall well-being. Both issues can challenge the mother-infant relationship. In an effort to improve sleep for both mother and infant, healthcare providers often recommend infant behavioral sleep interventions. The primary focus of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of easily recruiting for, adequately delivering, and sufficiently retaining participants in the Possums Sleep Intervention, a psychoeducational group workshop for women with infants between the ages of 0-6 months. A second goal of the study was to evaluate the Possums' curriculum potential in improving maternal sleep, maternal perceptions and cognitions of infant sleep, reported emotional availability and postnatal depressive symptoms. Participants were assessed at the start of the study and again at the completion of the 4-week workshop. Results showed improvements with respect to the perceived emotional availability in the parent-infant relationship, but there were no positive effects related to sleep for mother or for infant and no positive effects for mother's mood.