einstein (São Paulo). 07/Apr/2026;24:eAO2004.

Factors associated with sleep quality and duration in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder: a cross-sectional study

Patrícia Souza de

Almeida

, Carlos Eduardo Lins e

Silva

, Alisson Henrique de

Almeida

, Flavia Eloize de Souza

Silva

, Raphael Mendes

Ritti-Dias

, Ozeas Lima

Lins-Filho

, Breno Quintella

Farah

DOI: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2026AO2004

Highlights

■ Forty-four percent of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder have poor sleep quality.
■ Seventy percent did not meet the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep.
■ Demographic, child-related, and clinical data were associated with sleep problems.

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To analyze the factors associated with sleep quality and duration in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 595 mothers (37±7yrs) of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (8.1±3.1yrs). The assessed sleep parameters included sleep quality and duration. Mothers reporting poor sleep quality and those who did not sleep between seven and nine hours per night were considered at risk. Demographic data (age, education, income, marital status, and number of children), child-related data, comorbidities (overweight, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, heart disease, depression symptoms, and anxiety), and lifestyle factors (physical activity, sedentary behavior, and smoking) were evaluated.

Results:

Forty-four percent of mothers reported poor sleep quality, and 70.4% did not achieve the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Factors associated with poor sleep quality included being unmarried [Odds-ratio(OR): 2.152; 95% confidence interval (95%CI)= 1.332-3.478], heart diseases (OR=4.859; 95%CI=1.153-20.471), depression symptoms (OR=3.833; 95%CI=(2.273-6.464), sedentary behavior on weekdays (OR=2.293; 95%CI=1.335-3.938), dissatisfaction with their child’s therapy (OR=1.990; 95%CI=1.214-3.262), and inadequate sleep duration (OR=9.025; 95%CI=4.661-17.473). Inadequate sleep duration was associated with depression symptoms (OR=1.965; 95%CI=1.290-2.993), age (OR=1.051; 95%CI=1.152-2.517), number of children with autism spectrum disorder (OR=3.574; 95%CI=1.152-.517), total number of children (OR=1.655; 95%CI=1.089-2.517), and poor sleep quality (OR=6.259; 95%CI=3.843-10.193).

Conclusion:

Most mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder experience poor sleep quality and inadequate sleep duration. Demographic data, child-related data, heart disease, depressive symptoms, and sedentary behavior were associated with inadequate sleep.

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