The relationship between mothers' maladaptive schemas and sleep problems in 12-to-36-month-old children: The role of attachment and sleep behaviors.

Mothers of children with sleep problems exhibited lower levels of 'enmeshment/dependence' and 'punitiveness' schemas compared to mothers of children without sleep problems.

• Sample consisted of 153 mothers of children aged 12–36 months in Turkey.
• Sleep difficulties were defined according to BISQ-derived clinical criteria.
• Maternal schemas were assessed using the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form 3 (YSQ-S3).
• The sample was 58.8% boys and 41.2% girls.

Higher maternal 'failure to achieve' schema scores were associated with an increased likelihood of child sleep problems.

• This association was identified among 153 mothers in the study sample.
• The 'failure to achieve' schema was identified as a risk factor for child sleep difficulties.
• Assessment used the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form 3 (YSQ-S3).
• Sleep problems were assessed using BISQ-derived clinical criteria.

Elevated 'enmeshment/dependence' schema scores in mothers served as a protective factor against child sleep problems.

• Higher maternal enmeshment/dependence scores were associated with reduced likelihood of child sleep problems.
• This finding was in contrast to the 'failure to achieve' schema, which increased risk.
• The protective effect was identified in a sample of 153 mother-child dyads.
• This schema domain reflects tendencies toward closeness and reliance between individuals.

Receiving occasional support from a partner or family was identified as a protective factor against child sleep problems.

• Occasional partner or family support reduced the likelihood of child sleep difficulties.
• This finding was identified alongside maternal schema variables in the same sample of 153 mothers.
• The study was conducted in Turkey, where family support structures may vary.
• This variable was examined in the context of maternal schematic tendencies and child sleep outcomes.

Maternal age over 30 emerged as a strong risk factor for child sleep problems.

• Mothers older than 30 years were more likely to have children with sleep difficulties.
• This was identified as a demographic risk factor in the sample of 153 mothers.
• The finding was noted alongside schema-related variables in the analysis.
• The study described this as 'a strong risk factor' in the abstract.

Children aged 25–36 months demonstrated fewer sleep problems compared to younger children (aged 12–24 months).

• The study sample included children aged 12–36 months.
• Older toddlers within the study age range had a lower likelihood of sleep difficulties.
• This age-related finding was identified alongside maternal psychological variables.
• The developmental context of sleep across the 12–36 month period was a focus of the study.