Are parental depressive symptoms related to the sleep quality and physical activity of their children with developmental disabilities?

Health challenges faced by parents of children with disabilities: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Parenting a child with disabilities can feel isolating and overwhelming. Understanding the health challenges of parents with disabled children is essential for providing effective healthcare. This study aims to offer a comprehensive view of the health challenges faced by these parents by synthesizing existing literature from various perspectives.

METHOD

This scoping review conducted using the JBI scoping review method. Searches were performed on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases spanning from 2014 to 2024. The initial search yielded 388 articles, with 24 articles undergoing qualitative assessment and data analysis via narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

From the 24 selected articles, three health challenges were identified: physical, emotional, and social health challenges.

CONCLUSION

Parents of children with disabilities face intricate health challenges, including physical challenges like fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and sleep issues. Additionally, they experience significant emotional strain, with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and hopelessness. Social isolation and stigma further compound these challenges. A collaborative approach involving healthcare professionals, policymakers, and support organizations can empower parents to thrive in their caregiving roles.

Sleep Problems, Circadian Rhythms, and Their Relation to Behavioral Difficulties in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This was an exploratory cross-sectional study comparing 45 children with ASD to 24 typically developing drug-naïve controls, group-matched on age, sex, and body mass index. Objective data was obtained using the following: an ambulatory circadian monitoring device; saliva samples to determine dim light melatonin onset (DLMO): and three parent-completed measures: the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL); the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R); and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ28). The CBCL and RBS-R scales showed the highest scores amongst poor sleepers with ASD. Sleep fragmentation was associated with somatic complaints and self-injury, leading to a higher impact on family life. Sleep onset difficulties were associated with withdrawal, anxiety, and depression. Those with phase advanced DLMO had lower scores for "somatic complaints"; "anxious/depressed" state; and "social problems", suggesting that this phenomenon has a protective role.

Effect of Children's Autism Spectrum Disorder Severity on Family Strain and Sleep Quality: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey in the U.S

To better understand the impact of children's autism spectrum disorder (ASD) severity on families, we evaluated pathways through which ASD severity affected child sleep quality, caregiver strain, and caregiver sleep quality. In a cross-sectional analysis through the U.S.-wide Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge (SPARK) cohort. Participants were caregivers of dependents with ASD aged 3-17 years (N = 3150). We found that increased severity strongly affects caregiver strain and child sleep quality. Child sleep quality was a minor mediator of increasing caregiver strain. Caregiver sleep quality depended on ASD severity only through child sleep quality and caregiver strain. Interventions aimed at improving child sleep quality or reducing caregiver strain could positively impact families of children with ASD.