Parents' health experiences after their child with ADHD and sleep problems underwent a sleep intervention with a weighted blanket

• Background: Being a parent of a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sleep problems can be challenging and stressful. Weighted blankets have the potential to improve sleep and health in these children, but less is known about the potential effects the child's use of a weighted blanket may have on parents' health.Purpose of the study: To explore parents' health experiences after their child with ADHD and sleep problems underwent a sleep intervention with a weighted blanket.Methods: This study is a part of a randomized, controlled crossover trial with a 16-week sleep intervention with weighted blankets for children with ADHD and sleep problems. A total of 24 parents of children who preferred sleeping with a weighted blanket were interviewed about how the sleep intervention influenced their health. An inductive qualitative content analysis resulted in seven subcategories and two categories.Findings: Children's sleep with weighted blankets influenced parents experienced health in terms of 1) coping with everyday life, including finding harmony, nurturing family relationships, and maintaining a sustainable structure, and 2) feeling well-being, including being well rested, sustaining energy, reaching calm, and achieving meaningful leisure time.Conclusion: A sleep intervention with weighted blankets in children with ADHD and sleep problems influenced parents' health positively by improving management of life and well-being. For parents who struggle to meet the everyday challenges of their child's ADHD, this sleep intervention may contribute to a sustainable health. 

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Annan hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Other Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

parents' health

children with ADHD

weighted blanke

qualitative method

IDC

IDC

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)