Sleep and Health-Related Quality of Life in Parents of Preterm and Full-Born Infants
- Trial lecture starts at 10:15
- Public defence starts at 12:30
Title of trial lecture: Discuss the function of feasibility studies in preparing a prospective longitudinal study to predict the need for screening practices.
Read the thesis in AURA.
Disputation Chair: Professor Gudrun Elin Rohde, Department of Health and Nursing Science, University of Agder
Assessment committee:
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First opponent: Professor Guðrún Kristjánsdóttir, University on Iceland, Iceland
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Second opponent: Associate Professor Charlotte Angelhoff, Lindköping University, Sweden
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Chair of assessment committee: Professor Rune Høigaard, Department of Sporte and Physical Education, University of Agder
Supervisors in the doctoral work:
- Main supervisor: Professor emerita Liv Fegran, Department of Health and Nursing Science, University ofi Agder
- Co-supervisor: Professor II Sølvi Helseth, Department of Health and Nursing Science, University of Agder
Summary of thesis
Sleep is important for our mental and physical health. Having a premature baby can negatively impact the sleep of parents, which can lead to health challenges and reduced quality of life. The overall purpose of the doctoral thesis was to study sleep and the relationship between sleep and health-related quality of life among parents of premature babies in the postpartum period (when the child is 2-12 months old). Additionally, the purpose was to compare sleep and health-related quality of life among mothers and fathers of term-born babies in the same period. At the beginning of the doctoral thesis, a systematic review was conducted which showed that there was a need for more knowledge about the sleep and health of parents of premature babies over time, and that there was a lack of comparison with parents of term-born babies. Therefore, a longitudinal study was designed to investigate sleep and health-related quality of life at 2, 6, and 12 months postpartum. The results show that compared to parents of term-born babies, parents of premature babies experience reduced sleep quality in the first weeks after childbirth. Mothers generally sleep worse than fathers at 2 months, and report lower sleep quality and duration. We found that the prevalence of sleep deprivation (insomnia) was high among all parents at 2 months, and continued to be high (>50%) among mothers of premature and term-born babies at 6 and 12 months. Sleep deprivation was closely associated with reduced health-related quality of life at 2, 6 and 12 months, especially mental health. The results from the doctoral thesis show that it is important for healthcare professionals to support sleep among parents after childbirth, especially mothers. There is also a need for increased focus on the prevention of sleep problems and long-term sleep deprivation among parents. The introduction of sleep assessments as a part of follow-up during pregnancy and in the first period after childbirth is recommended. This way, sleep problems can be identified early and help can be given to those who need it.
What to do as an online audience member
The disputation is open to the public. To follow the trial lecture and the public defence online, register on Zoom.
We ask online audience members to join no earlier than 10 minutes in advance. After these times, you can leave and rejoin the meeting at any time.
Opponent ex auditorio:
Deadline for the public to pose questions is during the break between the two opponents. Questions ex auditorio can be submitted to disputation chair Professor Gudrun Elin Rohde, copy Senoior adviser Eli Andås.