Association between maternal stress during pregnancy and child sleep quality: Mediation effect of parent–child relationship

Abstract Background To investigate the association between maternal stress during pregnancy, parent–child relationships, and child sleep quality and determine whether parent–child relationship mediates the association between maternal stress during pregnancy and child sleep quality. Methods This study included 4,830 mothers and their children. The mothers retrospectively reported stress during pregnancy, including negative mood and major life events that happened during pregnancy, using a four-item questionnaire. They also completed the Brigance Parent-Child Interactions Scale (BPCIS) and the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire (BISQ). A structural equation model was used to analyze the association between maternal stress during pregnancy and child sleep quality, with parent–child relationship as a mediator. Results Maternal stress during pregnancy was negatively associated with parent–child relationship (β = −0.41, P β = 0.04, P ß = −0.11, P P < 0.01). Conclusion Maternal stress during pregnancy was associated with negative parent–child relationship and child sleep disorders; In addition, a good parent-child relationship was positively associated with child sleep quality. Parent–child relationship mediate the association between maternal stress during pregnancy and child sleep disorders. This finding could provide a scientific basis for developing preventive strategies to improve child sleep quality.