Intergenerational Links between Parental Sleep Disorders and Child Sleep Health and Mental Well-Being

Purpose: Emerging evidence highlights the intergenerational transmission of sleep disturbances and their potential influence on child mental health. However, few studies have examined these associations in Arabic-speaking populations. This study investigated the links between parental sleep disorders, child sleep behaviors, and child mental well-being, with particular attention to the mediating role of parental psychological distress. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 parent–child dyads from Arabic-speaking communities. Parents completed validated Arabic versions of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), while child outcomes were assessed using the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS). Data were analyzed with Pearson correlations and multiple linear regression models. Results: Parents reported high levels of sleep disturbance (PSQI, 8.18; ISI, 12.23), and children exhibited substantial sleep issues (CSHQ, 49.33). Psychological difficulties were also elevated (SDQ, 19.96; RCADS, 19.71). Parental distress (DASS-21) was strongly correlated with PSQI, ISI, CSHQ, SDQ, and RCADS, with coefficients (r) ranging from 0.992 to 0.994. Regression analyses revealed that parental mental health (β=0.413, P<0.001), insomnia severity (β=0.283, P<0.001), and child sleep problems (β=0.255, P<0.001) significantly predicted child mental health difficulties (R²=0.992, P<0.001). Conclusion: Parental insomnia and psychological distress exert a strong influence on children’s emotional and behavioral health, underscoring the need for family-centered interventions and additional research into underlying causal pathways.