1140 Preliminary Findings of Sleep Treatment Preferences of Caregiving Family Members of Adults with Serious Mental Illness

Abstract Introduction Emerging data indicates that poor sleep health is common among familial caregivers of adults with serious mental illness (SMI), consistent with what has been observed among familial caregivers of patients with dementia and cancer. Improving sleep health among caregivers of family with SMI may be important. Sleep health is linked to physical and mental wellbeing, both of which are likely already burdened by the stresses of caregiving. Existing sleep health interventions may not fully address the challenges facing these caregivers. The current study aimed to describe sleep difficulties experienced by caregivers for adult family with SMI and to determine their sleep treatment preferences. Methods An anonymous survey was completed by 20 caregivers of family with SMI (85% women, 90% White, mean age = 61.5 years). Caregivers were recruited through professional organizations that support families navigating SMI (e.g., National Alliance on Mental Illness, Courage to Caregivers). The survey included questions asking about their caregiving experience, sleep difficulties, and preferences for sleep treatment. Results Caregivers provided care most commonly for a family member with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, major depression, and/or generalized anxiety disorder diagnosis. Most (80%) cared for an adult offspring; the remaining provided care for a spouse/partner, parent, grandparent, or niece/nephew. Most caregivers experienced sleep difficulties (84%) and, of these, most (94%) note their sleep is impacted by caregiving. Their sleep difficulties include difficulty staying asleep (69%), difficulty turning off their mind at night (69%), low quality/unrefreshing sleep (56%), difficulty falling asleep (50%), and not enough sleep (32%). More than half see addressing their sleep as a high to very high priority. A majority (93%) prefer self-help tools as their first choice of treatment options. A small proportion (7%) selected help from professional as top choice and 0% selected help from a peer as their top choice. Conclusion Caregivers experience sleep difficulties and would like to improve sleep, preferably through self-help tools. These findings can inform the development of an acceptable sleep health intervention in this often overlooked group. Support (if any)