Concordance between subjective and objective measures of infant sleep varies by age and maternal mood: Implications for studies of sleep and cognitive development

• DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2021.101663
• Publication Date: 2021-11-23T18:10:25Z
• Authors: L.K. Gossé; F. Wiesemann; C.E. Elwell; E.J.H. Jones
• Keywords: Concordance; Moderation; Sleep

Infant habitual sleep has been proposed as an important moderator of development in domains such attention, memory or temperament. To test hypotheses, we need to know how accurately and consistently assess infancy. Common assessment methods include easy deploy but subjective parent-report measures (diary/sleep questionnaire); more labour-intensive objective motor movement (actigraphy). Understanding the degree which these provide converging insights is important, cross-method agreement yet be investigated longitudinally. Moreover, it unclear whether concordance systematically varies with infant maternal characteristics that could represent confounders observational studies. This longitudinal study (up 4 visits/participant) on one (7-day actigraphy) three commonly used diary, Brief Sleep Questionnaire, & Settle Questionnaire) 76 typically developing infants (age: 4–14 months) assessed impact (stress, age, education) (age) concordance. In addition, associations between a measure general developmental status (Ages Stages were investigated. A range equivalence analyses (tests equivalence, correlational analyses, Bland-Altman plots) showed mixed measures. Most importantly, was associated stress levels age. Specifically, different night waking better for mothers experiencing higher younger than older infants; reverse pattern true day duration. Interestingly, did not yield same patterns association domains, indicating method choice can influence are found cognitive development. However, results converged across problem-solving skills, highlighting importance studying future We discuss implications investigating context behaviour.