Psychological and sleep-related functioning among women with unsettled infants in Victoria, Australia: a cross-sectional study.

Objective

To identify (a) clinical symptom profiles based on psychological and sleep-related functioning among women admitted to a residential early parenting service (REPS) and (b) factors associated with membership of profile groups.

Background

Depression and anxiety are common among women with unsettled infants; less is known about other indicators of psychological distress and about maternal sleep.

Methods

Women admitted to a REPS during a 5-month period completed validated measures of depression, anxiety, stress, irritability, alcohol use, fatigue, sleepiness and sleep quality. Latent class analysis was used to identify symptom profiles. Factors significantly associated with class membership were identified.

Results

Surveys were completed by 167/380 women. Scores on all measures were statistically significantly poorer than community norms. Two classes were identified, characterised by high versus low psychological distress. Mean scores on measures of fatigue, sleepiness and sleep quality were high in both classes. High psychological distress was associated with having previous mental health problems and an unmet need for emotional support.

Conclusion

Fatigue and poor sleep quality are universal among women admitted to REPS. Health services providing assistance with unsettled infant behaviour should include strategies to improve maternal sleep, and encourage social interaction among women to protect against social isolation.