Influence of the family context on sleep disorders in children

Abstract

This study aimed to identify in the scientific literature the aspects related to the family context involved in sleep disorders in children. An integrative literature review was conducted in the databases: Lilacs, PubMed, Cinahl, Scopus and Cochrane, covering the period from 2007 to 2012, with the descriptors in Portuguese and English: transtornos do sono, família, criança, and sleep disorders, family, children. Thirty-four articles were identified, in which 46 aspects mentioned in the results were  identified, highlighting the habits in the family sleep pattern and routine, cultural habits, socioeconomic status, and parental mood as the most frequent. Parents as family members and those responsible for directing the habits inherent in the family context have the key role in the sleep-wake process of the children.