This longitudinal study utilizes a stress and coping framework to test an intervention to minimize the stress of sleep disruption and thereby improve the outcomes for new parents after the birth of their first infant. Data from the principal investigator's previous research and knowledge of sleep hygiene principles provide the basis for this proposal. The primary aim is to test the effects of an environmental-behavioral intervention on sleep, fatigue, well-being, and marital satisfaction. This intervention will be introduced prior to delivery to allow the couple to adapt to the equipment involved in the intervention. Hypotheses will be tested using repeated measures analysis of variance to determine mean group differences. It is expected that: 1) The experimental group of new mothers (n=60) and new fathers (n=60) will have significantly fewer awakenings, and higher sleep maintenance than control mothers (n=60) and fathers (n=60) at all 4 postpartum time points; 2) The experimental group of new mothers and new fathers will report significantly lower fatigue and higher well-being and marital satisfaction compared to controls at all four postpartum time points (2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks). A secondary aim is to describe the success by which new parents incorporate this intervention into their lifestyle and evaluate its feasibility for other first-time parents. Level of satisfaction with the intervention package will be ascertained for both experimental fathers and experimental mothers before and after mothers return to work. Results from this study will be useful in developing an educational intervention package for distribution to all adults preparing for parenthood.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01NR005345-01
Application #
6231453
Study Section
Nursing Research Study Section (NURS)
Program Officer
Bryan, Yvonne E
Project Start
2001-01-01
Project End
2003-12-31
Budget Start
2001-01-01
Budget End
2001-12-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$299,688
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California San Francisco
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Nursing
DUNS #
073133571
City
San Francisco
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94143
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Doan, Therese; Gay, Caryl L; Kennedy, Holly P et al. (2014) Nighttime breastfeeding behavior is associated with more nocturnal sleep among first-time mothers at one month postpartum. J Clin Sleep Med 10:313-9
Van, Paulina (2012) Conversations, coping, & connectedness: a qualitative study of women who have experienced involuntary pregnancy loss. Omega (Westport) 65:71-85
Franck, Linda; Gay, Caryl L; Lynch, Mary et al. (2011) Infant sleep after immunization: randomized controlled trial of prophylactic acetaminophen. Pediatrics 128:1100-8
Lee, Kathryn A; Gay, Caryl L (2011) Can modifications to the bedroom environment improve the sleep of new parents? Two randomized controlled trials. Res Nurs Health 34:7-19
Goyal, Deepika; Gay, Caryl; Lee, Kathryn A (2010) How much does low socioeconomic status increase the risk of prenatal and postpartum depressive symptoms in first-time mothers? Womens Health Issues 20:96-104
Lee, Kathryn A (2008) In search of sleep: it's a family affair. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 37:705
Kennedy, Holly Powell; Gardiner, Annelise; Gay, Caryl et al. (2007) Negotiating sleep: a qualitative study of new mothers. J Perinat Neonatal Nurs 21:114-22
Gay, Caryl L; Lee, Kathryn A; Lee, Shih-Yu (2004) Sleep patterns and fatigue in new mothers and fathers. Biol Res Nurs 5:311-8
Lee, Kathryn A; Gay, Caryl L (2004) Sleep in late pregnancy predicts length of labor and type of delivery. Am J Obstet Gynecol 191:2041-6