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Emotional and behavioural difficulties in children of parents with multiple sclerosis: a controlled study in Greece
Stavroula Diareme1, John Tsiantis, Gerasimos Kolaitis
1Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit Dept. of Psychiatry, Medical School University of Athens, Athens, Greece. itsianti@cc.uoa.gr
Insights
Children with a parent diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) exhibit more emotional and behavioral issues. Maternal depression and family dysfunction significantly contribute to these problems in children of parents with MS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological condition impacting families.
- Parental illness can affect child emotional and behavioral well-being.
- Understanding family dynamics is crucial for supporting children of parents with MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate emotional and behavioral problems in children with a parent diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).
- To examine the relationship between these problems and factors like family dysfunction, parental depression, and MS severity.
- To identify predictors of emotional and behavioral issues in children with a parent with MS.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study involving 56 families with an MS parent and 64 control families.
- Children's emotional and behavioral problems assessed using Achenbach's Child Behaviour Checklist and Youth Self Report.
- Parental depression and family dysfunction measured via Beck Depression Inventory and Family Assessment Device.
- Statistical analyses included t-tests, Pearson correlations, and multiple regression.
Main Results:
- Children with a parent with MS showed significantly more emotional and behavioral problems than controls.
- Maternal depression and family dysfunction were positively correlated with children's problems.
- Family dysfunction predicted overall and externalizing problems; maternal impairment predicted internalizing problems.
Conclusions:
- Children of parents with MS experience heightened emotional and behavioral challenges.
- Family environment and maternal mental health are key factors influencing child outcomes.
- Clinical interventions should address family dynamics and parental well-being in MS care.
Abstract:
Emotional and behavioural problems were investigated in children who have a parent with multiple sclerosis (MS), in relation to factors such as family dysfunction, parental depression and illness-related characteristics. The participants were 56 MS patients, their spouses and one randomly selected child aged 4-17 years, and a comparison group of 64 children and both their parents, none of whom reported somatic illness. Emotional and behavioural problems in the children were identified by reporting of both parents and self-report using the Achenbach's Child Behaviour Checklist and Youth Self Report respectively. Parental depression and family dysfunction were explored using the Beck Depression Inventory and Family Assessment Device, respectively. The data were analysed using independent samples t-tests for between-group comparisons, Pearson r correlations between children's problems and family dysfunction or parental depression, and multiple regression analyses for identifying predictors for children's problems. Children whose parents, especially mothers, had MS presented greater emotional and behavioural problems than comparison children. Children's problems were positively associated with maternal depression and family dysfunction. Family dysfunction predicted children's overall and externalizing problems, while the severity of impairment of the ill mother predicted children's internalizing problems. Implications of these findings for clinical practice are discussed.
