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Emotional and behavioural problems in subgroups of children with chronic illness: results from a large-scale

M Hysing1, I Elgen, C Gillberg

  • 1Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Jonas Liesvei 91, Bergen 5009, Norway. mari.hysing@psybp.uib.no

Child: Care, Health and Development
|March 28, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Children with chronic illnesses, particularly neurological disorders, face higher risks of emotional and behavioral issues. Early mental health screening is crucial for these vulnerable pediatric populations.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Psychology
  • Child Psychiatry
  • Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Children with chronic illnesses exhibit a higher prevalence of emotional and behavioral challenges.
  • Previous research indicates a link between chronic health conditions and psychological difficulties in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare psychological presentations in children with asthma, neurological disorders, and other chronic illnesses against a control group.
  • To identify specific emotional and behavioral differences across various pediatric chronic illness categories.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based study involving 537 children from the Bergen Child Study.
  • Children were categorized into asthma, neurological disorders, and other chronic illness groups based on parent reports.
  • The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was utilized to assess emotional and behavioral problems.

Main Results:

  • All chronic illness groups showed increased rates of emotional and behavioral problems and higher probabilities of psychiatric disorders compared to healthy controls.
  • While most children with asthma and other chronic illnesses had minimal issues, those with neurological disorders displayed moderate to large effect sizes.
  • In children with neurological disorders, emotional problems, inattention/hyperactivity, and peer difficulties were the most common concerns.

Conclusions:

  • The elevated risk of emotional and behavioral problems in children with chronic illnesses, especially neurological disorders, necessitates proactive mental health interventions.
  • Early detection and management of mental health issues are paramount for improving outcomes in pediatric chronic illness populations.
Abstract

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