Promoting Resilience by Improving Children’s Sleep: Feasibility Among Families Living in Supportive Housing

Background: Poverty has been linked to sleep disruption, which is in turn associated with health and behavior problems. Sleep disturbance may be a key mechanism by which poverty affects child development.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, appeal, and promise of a brief sleep-promoting intervention for low-income families with 4- to 8-year-old children in site-based supportive housing.

Methods: University researchers and community partners developed a sleep-promoting intervention (family workshop and bedtime relaxation routine) that was implemented at one supportive housing site. Multiple methods were used to assess feasibility and preliminary effectiveness in 11 participating families.

Results: Intervention and research activities were acceptable to families, but adherence to daily sleep measures was low. Most parents reported high satisfaction, and data showed trends of improvement in children’s sleep, behavior, and executive function (EF).

Conclusions: A brief sleep-promoting intervention for children in disadvantaged families showed feasibility and promise. Future studies are needed to test the efficacy of a refined version of this sleep intervention with families in similar situations, focusing on decreasing burden, tailoring interventions, and sustaining change.