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Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis logoLink to Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
. 1993 Winter;26(4):477–492. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1993.26-477

A behavioral model of infant sleep disturbance.

N M Blampied 1, K G France 1
PMCID: PMC1297876  PMID: 8307835

Abstract

Chronic sleep disturbance, such as bed refusal, sleep-onset delay, and night waking with crying, affects 15% to 35% of preschool children. Biological factors, particularly arousals associated with recurrent episodes of rapid-eye-movement sleep, render infants vulnerable to repeated awakenings. Parental failure to establish appropriate stimulus control of sleep-related behaviors and parent-mediated contingencies of reinforcement for sleep-incompatible behaviors may shape and maintain infant sleep disturbance. Treatment and prevention strategies are discussed, and research needs are identified.

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Selected References

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