Factors associated with consistent bedtime routines and good sleep outcomes

Bedtime routines have “strong” support for addressing bedtime behavior problems and sleep; however, little research has examined factors associated with bedtime routines and sleep quality. Parents of 155 children ages 3 to 5 were surveyed about their children’s bedtime routines, bedtime anxiety, compliance, and sleep quality. Regression models supported a simple indirect effect of bedtime routine consistency on sleep quality through bedtime anxiety, but not through compliance at bedtime. In a serial model, consistent bedtime routines were related to sleep quality through first bedtime anxiety and then compliance near bedtime. Clinically, results suggest that if parents can alleviate child anxiety around bedtime through routines, compliance around bedtime, and a good night sleep may follow.