Sleep and parenting in ethnically diverse Pacific families in southern New Zealand: A qualitative exploration

Abstract

Objectives: Children's sleep has been shown to vary by ethnicity, but little is known about children's sleep in multiethnic households. In New Zealand, Pacific families are increasingly ethnically diverse, due to intermarriage and to people identifying as more than 1 ethnicity. Thus, the objective of this work was to explore children's sleep habits, and sleep-related parenting practices, in ethnically diverse Pacific families (EDPF).

Design: Ten qualitative interviews with adult members of EDPF were undertaken. Open-ended questioning was used.

Setting: Informal, conversational interviews conducted in homes and workplaces in southern New Zealand.

Participants: Fifteen adults from 10 EDPF.

Measurements: Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Thematic open coding was used to analyze transcripts and identify themes.

Results: Sleep practices such as bedtime routines and preferred sleep environments varied both within and between EDPF. The EDPF in this sample responded to the context in which they lived, and the demands of everyday life in New Zealand, when managing children's sleep. Respectful communication between parents was key to navigating cultural differences and resolving areas of tension. The families in this study aspired to instill strong multi-cultural knowledge and identities in their children. Some families had sought out resources to help with this, but they were often either difficult to find, or expensive.

Conclusions: A variety of sleep habits and related parenting practices were observed in this small sample of EDPF, who recognized that raising children in multi-ethnic families was associated with distinct opportunities as well as challenges.

Keywords: Ethnically diverse; Family; New Zealand; Pacific; Parenting; Sleep.