The effect of mothers' sleep related cognitions on infant sleep problems: The mediator role of maternal bedtime behavior and the moderator effect of maternal sensitivity

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of mothers on infant sleep in the context of maternal cognitions about infant sleep, maternal behaviours used to settle infants off to sleep (bedtime behaviors) and maternal sensitivity factors. Another aim of the study is to adapt the Maternal Cognitions About Infant Sleep Questionnaire (MCISQ) and Parental Interactive Bedtime Behaviour Scale (PIBBS) scales to be used in the study for the Turkish population. In this regard, the research was conducted in two studies. In the first study (Study 1), validity and reliability studies of the Maternal Cognitions About Infant Sleep Questionnaire (MCISQ) and Parental Interactive Bedtime Behaviour Scale (PIBBS) scales were conducted for the Turkish population. The sample of the study consisted of 321 mothers who had at least one child between the ages of zero and three. The Demographic Information Form, which includes the mother's basic information, the Maternal Cognitions About Infant Sleep Questionnaire (MCISQ) and Parental Interactive Bedtime Behaviour Scale (PIBBS) were administered to the mothers. In addition, the Parental Attitude Scale (PAS) and the Maternal Sensitivity Scale (MSS) were given to the mothers to be used in validity and reliability analyses. The data collection process of the study was carried out online. As a result of the adaptation studies, both the Maternal Cognitions About Infant Sleep Questionnaire (MCISQ) and Parental Interactive Bedtime Behaviour Scale (PIBBS) scales are valid and reliable for the Turkish population. In the second study (Study 2), the effect of maternal cognitions on infant sleep problems; the mediating role of mothers' bedtime behaviors on this effect was examined. Additionally, the moderating effect of maternal sensitivity on the relationship between mothers' bedtime behaviors and infant sleep problems was discussed. The sample of the research consists of 208 mothers who have at least one child between the ages of zero and three. During the data collection process of the study, mothers were given the Demographic Information Form which includes the mother's basic information; the Maternal Sensitivity Scale (MSS) to determine the mother's sensitivity level; the Maternal Cognitions About Infant Sleep Questionnaire (MCISQ) which determines the mother's cognitions about infant sleep and the Parental Interactive Bedtime Behaviour Scale (PIBBS) which determines the mother's behaviours used to settle infants off to sleep. Additionally, the Brief Infant Sleep Questionaire (BISQ) was used to detect infant sleep problems. The data collection process of the study was carried out online. As a result of the analyses, it was revealed that the total score of the maternal cognitions about infant sleep predicted the total score of parental interactive bedtime behavior in a statistically significant way. It has also been found that maternal cognitions about infant sleep predict infant sleep problems. However, it was observed that parental bedtime behavior did not play a mediating role in this relationship. On the other hand, no moderating effect of maternal sensitivity was found in the relationship between parental bedtime behavior and infant sleep problems. Key Words: infant sleep habits, sleep attitudes, sleep disorders, sleep habits, maternal sensitivity, bedtime behaviors, sleep cognitions, maternal cognitions