A multi-method pilot exploration of a brief behavioral sleep intervention for school-aged children: feasibility, acceptability, and initial evaluation.

Abstract

Objectives: Parents often lack knowledge regarding healthy sleep practices, and little is known about whether a brief behavioral intervention emphasizing mastery, personalization, motivation, and modeling can increase parental knowledge of childhood sleep and promote child sleep health outcomes. This multi-method pilot study aimed to (1) assess parental knowledge of healthy child sleep practices, (2) determine the preliminary efficacy of a brief, personalized sleep intervention on parental self-efficacy and child sleep behaviors, and (3) examine the feasibility, acceptability, and parent-perceived impact of the intervention on child sleep health and parental knowledge.

Methods: 54 Parent-child dyads in a community sample participated in a 7-day baseline sleep assessment before attending a brief behavioral intervention appointment designed to improve child sleep. Two weeks later, parents completed an additional sleep assessment, participated in a qualitative interview, and reviewed actigraphy data to evaluate changes in child sleep.

Results: Parental knowledge of healthy child sleep practices improved significantly following the intervention (p < 0.001, ηp² = 0.245). Self-reported child sleep disturbance (p = 0.041, ηp² = 0.084), pediatric insomnia severity (p < 0.001, ηp² = 0.213), and parental self-efficacy (p = 0.036, ηp² = 0.088) also significantly improved. Objective sleep measures (sleep duration, onset latency) did not change (p's > 0.05), and sleep efficiency declined (p = 0.001). Qualitative feedback indicated the intervention was acceptable and feasible.

Discussion: The pilot brief behavioral intervention improved parents' perception of child sleep health, parental self-efficacy, and parental sleep knowledge. Despite limited changes in objective sleep measures, findings from this predominantly subclinical, community-based sample suggest that brief, personalized behavioral interventions may be a feasible and acceptable approach for promoting sleep health and supporting families. Future investigations, including randomized control trials and longer follow-up periods, are warranted.