Coparenting, Infant Sleep, and Infant Development

Although infant sleep regulation across the first year proceeds well for many infants, for
many infants that is not the case, and estimates of sleep problems among infants and
preschoolers range between 25%-33%. Dysregulated infant sleep is predictive of poor parent
sleep, and chronic sleep disruption can place families in turmoil, with consequences for the
marital and coparenting relationship. Further, mothers reporting early coparenting distress
are at risk for personal distress and poor bedtime and nighttime parenting, which in turn
predicts infant sleep problems and insecure infant attachment. This application proposes a
randomized clinical trial (RCT) to evaluate the effects of a sleep-enhanced adaptation of an
evidence-based transition-to-parenting coparenting intervention program [Family Foundations -
FF). The rationale for this study is twofold. First, recent findings from the PI's Project
SIESTA (R01HD052809) indicate that poor coparenting at one month post-partum predicts
persistent infant-parent co-sleeping across the first year, elevated maternal depressive
symptoms, emotionally unavailable bedtime parenting, and insecure infant-mother attachments.
Second, whereas FF as originally developed has been successful in improving coparenting,
marital adjustment, and overall parenting quality, it gives little specific attention to
coparenting in infant sleep contexts, which SIESTA findings identify as critically important
to parent and infant outcomes later in the first year. The proposed 3-arm RCT responds to
these concerns. In one arm, families will experience FF as originally formulated; in the
second, families will receive an adapted FF that emphasizes coparenting in infant sleep
contexts; the third arm will serve as controls. Assessments of coparenting and parenting in
infant sleep contexts, parental adjustment to infant sleep behavior, choices about sleep
arrangements, infant and parent sleep quality, and infant socio-emotional functioning, will
serve as outcomes. Our central hypotheses are: (1) Compared to controls, parents in both FF
groups will report improved overall coparenting and reduced overall distress, but parents in
the adapted FF group will show greater improvements in coparenting and individual parenting
in infant sleep contexts, better infant and parent sleep, and better child adjustment; (2)
early coparenting around infant sleep will be a central mechanism by which both interventions
exert their effects. This research is foundational to a broader understanding of coparenting
processes that underlie successful family transitions and contributes to the refinement of a
successful coparenting program. Study results will be of immediate use to obstetric and
pediatric services interested in augmenting childbirth education material with information on
coparenting practices in infant sleep contexts.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Two-parent families (married or living with a partner

- Families pregnant with their first child, of any race/ethnicity

- Parents who can understand and speak English

- Parents over the age of 18

- Parents living in independent units

Exclusion Criteria:

- Single-parent families

- Families pregnant with a second born or later born child

- Families who cannot speak and understand English

- Families in which one parent under the age of 18

- Parents living with families of origin