0485 Verbal Hostility Moderates Parental and Child Sleep Onset Latency in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Research indicates parent and child sleep onset latency (SOL) are positively correlated. In addition, parents who have difficulty sleeping may be more tired and report using negative parenting behaviors, such as verbal hostility. Experiencing verbal hostility may increase child anxiety and make it harder for them to fall asleep. Given that up to 80% of children with ASD experience sleep problems, it is important to understand potential relations among sleep and parenting behavior in this population. The current study examined whether verbal hostility moderated the relationship between parent and child SOL. Methods The sample (N=56) consisted of parents (90% female) reporting on their children aged 6-12 (M=8.63, SD = 2.00; 77% male) who expressed interest in a study exploring behavioral treatments for sleep. All children were diagnosed with ASD and had parent reported sleep complaints (e.g., difficulty falling asleep, waking up in the night). Baseline data were examined in the current analyses. Measures included an average of parent and child SOL on daily sleep diaries over 14 days of baseline. Verbal hostility was measured using the verbal hostility subscale on the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire – Short Version. Covariates included child and parent age. Results Moderation analyses were conducted using SPSS PROCESS. Parent and child SOL were significantly correlated (r(55)=.28, p=.04). Parent nor child SOL were correlated with verbal hostility. The interaction between parent SOL and verbal hostility t (1, 55) = 5.34, p = .02 was significantly associated with child SOL, such that higher levels of verbal hostility exacerbated the association between greater parent and child SOL. Conclusion These results suggest that the association between parent and child SOL depends in part on the level of verbal hostility a parent uses to discipline their child with ASD. Future research should utilize longitudinal and experimental methodology to determine the causality of these relationships. In addition, teaching positive parenting techniques to parents of children with ASD may be an important component to behavioral sleep treatment so that both child sleep and disciplinary strategies are targeted. Support (If Any) United States Department of Defense USAMRAA Autism Research Program (McCrae, PI; CTA W81XWH2010399).