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Abstract

This dissertation explores the impact that reduced quality and quantity of sleep can have on the family unit with regards to their physical and mental health. Sleep has been shown in research, over and again, to be essential for the body and mind and as such both can suffer significantly negative effects when not enough sleep is had. This is often the case with new parents and their babies as the baby settles into their own sleep schedule. Sleep interventions can offer solutions for this problem, and through semi-structured interviews this empirical dissertation explores mothers’ views on the impact of sleep on them and their family members, and on the success of sleep interventions they use in their homes. The study concludes that these mothers’ and their families show many of the lack of sleep ‘symptoms’ exhibited in literature, with some of these effects being considered likely to be of common knowledge such as irritability, and infants needing more emotional support following lack of adequate sleep. Some less well-known effects such as reduced immunity levels, and a higher risk of cardiovascular problems are also highlighted in the literature. In addition, the study concludes that there is no one universal sleep solution for all, more that the family needs to find their own individualised solution, and not rely on what appears to be the solution ‘of the time’, in order for all members to gain enough sleep to function on a daily basis, and live healthy lives.

Course: Early Childhood Studies with Psychology - BA (HONS) - C401S

Date Deposited: 2024-05-15

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis14393.html