0945 Adolescent Sleep Mediates Maternal Depression and Harsh Parenting

Abstract

Introduction: Mothers dealing with depressive problems often report using more harsh parenting practices. This occurs, in part, due to a scarcity of effective coping mechanisms and increased irritability. In addition, depressed mothers are less likely to set consistent rules and expectations within the home, which may result in children who stay up late. Children who get inadequate levels of sleep also are more likely to have behavior problems, irritability, and defiance toward their parents, particularly in adolescence. However, no studies have examined the potential of adolescent sleep as a contributor to the association between maternal depression and the use of harsh parenting. The current study examined whether mothers' perceptions of inadequate adolescent sleep duration mediated the relationship between maternal depression and harsh parenting, with child gender as a moderator. Methods: The sample (N=318) consisted of mothers reporting on adolescents aged 16‐18 (M=16.89, SD = .429; 53.4% female) from the 10th wave of the Schools and Families Educating Children Study (SAFE). The SAFE study was a randomized control trial conducted from 1997‐2008 designed to investigate children and families living in inner‐city Chicago, Il. Measures included the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD), and the Parenting Practices Questionnaire (PPQ). Results: Too little adolescent sleep mediated (β = .15) the relation between maternal depression and her reported use of harsh parenting. Mediation was further moderated by child gender, such that the mediation occurred for sons (β = .12) but not daughters. Conclusion: These results suggest that too little adolescent sleep is the process through which mothers experiencing depressive problems engage in more harsh parenting. In addition, important child gender differences were apparent, such that sons' lack of sleep may be more related to maternal depression and the use of harsh discipline.