0948 Sleep Quality, Depressive Symptoms, and Stress in Maternal Caregivers of Young Children with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Abstract

Introduction: Caregiving duties are often time-intensive, and extend into the nighttime hours, which may lead to feelings of increased caregiver burden, and depressive symptoms. However, little is known about the relationships between depressive symptoms, sleep quality, and caregiver burden in maternal caregivers of young children with BPD. The purpose of this study is to examine sleep, depressive symptoms, and caregiver burden, and to determine if depressive symptoms mediate the relationship between sleep quality and caregiver burden Methods: 61 maternal caregivers, between the ages of 16-59, were recruited, with no reported history of a sleep disorder, could read, write, and understand English, and had a child diagnosed with BPD. The child had to have been home for at least two months, and not require a ventilator or tracheotomy. Maternal caregivers were asked to complete the PSQI, the Montgomery-Borgatta Caregiver Burden Scale, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). Upon completion, 56.9% of the sample was single, 67.2% were African American, (mean age of 29 yrs., child mean age 14 mos., and had been home a mean of 8 mos. Results: Over two thirds (67.2%) of the sample reported sleeping 6 or fewer hours a night, with a mean PSQI score of 7.6. Signiicant correlations were found between sleep quality and depressive symptoms (r=.546; p=.000), as well as sleep quality and caregiver burden (r=.292; p=.026). The most signiicant predictor of caregiver burden was sleep quality (t=2.284; p=.026). Depressive symptoms did not mediate the relationship between sleep quality and caregiver burden. Conclusion: The majority of maternal caregivers reported insuficient and poor quality of sleep, which may affect their caregiver burden and depressive symptoms. Healthcare providers need to discuss the importance of sleep, and ensure the child's care schedule allows for sleep during the nighttime hours.