Photo credit: DE GIUSEPPE FRANCESCO
Elevated levels of cortisol affect the area around the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, manifesting in cognitive and emotional disorders that interfere with memory, leaning, concentration and mood. Stress increases the likelihood of making unwise decisions and behaving irrationally.
Parents of healthy children often experience disturbed sleep, which is normally viewed as a natural element of family life. Sick children require extra care, assistance and support from their parents. They frequently need supervision around the clock. Their sleep is more troubled or they require night-time feeding, medication or assistance going to the bathroom, whether at home or in hospital.
One challenge faced by paediatric care is to offer evidence-based support for these parents and improve their chances of dealing with anxiety, stress and lack of sleep.
The overall purpose of this study is to examine and describe sleep patterns in parents of sick children.
Method: Prospective, descriptive, comparative study based on both quantitative and qualitative data
