Differences in Infant and Parental Sleep and Sleeping Location in a Multi-National Study

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigated cross-country differences in infant and maternal sleep across Korea, the U.S.A. and Australia. Methods: Participants were 2,005 mother-infant dyads (infant Mage = 13.82 months, SDage = 6.23 months) from Australia (n = 73), Korea (n = 222), and the U.S.A. (n = 1710). Mothers completed the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes About Sleep Scale (DBAS), and Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire (BISQ) and were grouped (6, 12, and 24 months) dependent on infant age. Data were analyzed using multiple regressions. Results: Korean mothers had higher insomnia symptoms compared to Australian and U.S.A. mothers at all timepoints (p’s .164). Conclusions: Korean mothers had higher insomnia and DBAS scores, which did not differ by co-sleeping status; Korean infants had shorter nighttime TST, and longer SOL. Bedsharing in Korea was protective against insomnia symptoms at 24 months. Further exploration into the mechanisms of sleep changes is required to tailor future interventions for diverse backgrounds.