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Background <p>Informal carers may experience poor sleep outcomes due to the demands of their role. This study explored the association between the number of night-time awakenings, assistive technology use, and help-seeking behaviors on the sleep quality of adult carers.</p> Methods <p>An online quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was utilised. Participants (<i>n</i> = 152) included Australian carers aged 18 to 64 years who obtained inadequate sleep hours (&lt; 7&#xa0;h per night).</p> Results <p>Carers who reported more than two awakenings per night (48.5%) had poorer sleep quality, as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, when compared to carers who reported no awakenings (η² = 0.06). The use of assistive technology was not associated with improved sleep quality (Cohen’s d = − 0.04). Carers who reported help-seeking for sleep problems also reported poorer sleep quality compared to carers who had not sought help (Cohen’s d = 0.67).</p> Conclusion <p>These findings indicate that despite the availability of both assistive technologies and various help-seeking sources (e.g., general practitioners, psychologists), carers still experience poor sleep. With an aim to reduce carer burden, future research should investigate ways to decrease night-time awakenings for carers, examine the effect of care-recipient condition on the relationship between assistive technology use and carer sleep quality, and employ a longitudinal study design to evaluate the efficacy of help-seeking strategies for carer sleep.</p>

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How do night-time awakenings, assistive technologies, and help-seeking behaviors impact the sleep of Australian carers? A cross-sectional study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月9日

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  • Hannah Commins,
  • Grace E. Vincent,
  • Madeline Sprajcer,
  • Rosemary Gibson,
  • Kate Vincent,
  • Spencer S. H. Roberts,
  • Alexandra E. Shriane,
  • Patrick J. Owen

摘要

Background

Informal carers may experience poor sleep outcomes due to the demands of their role. This study explored the association between the number of night-time awakenings, assistive technology use, and help-seeking behaviors on the sleep quality of adult carers.

Methods

An online quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was utilised. Participants (n = 152) included Australian carers aged 18 to 64 years who obtained inadequate sleep hours (< 7 h per night).

Results

Carers who reported more than two awakenings per night (48.5%) had poorer sleep quality, as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, when compared to carers who reported no awakenings (η² = 0.06). The use of assistive technology was not associated with improved sleep quality (Cohen’s d = − 0.04). Carers who reported help-seeking for sleep problems also reported poorer sleep quality compared to carers who had not sought help (Cohen’s d = 0.67).

Conclusion

These findings indicate that despite the availability of both assistive technologies and various help-seeking sources (e.g., general practitioners, psychologists), carers still experience poor sleep. With an aim to reduce carer burden, future research should investigate ways to decrease night-time awakenings for carers, examine the effect of care-recipient condition on the relationship between assistive technology use and carer sleep quality, and employ a longitudinal study design to evaluate the efficacy of help-seeking strategies for carer sleep.