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Family Functioning in Pediatric Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Systematic Review
Katlyn Garr1, Cathleen Odar Stough1, Julianne Origlio1
1Department of Psychology, University of Cincinnati.
Insights
Children with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) often face family functioning challenges. This review found that youth with FGIDs generally experience poorer family functioning compared to healthy peers.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Family Psychology
- Child Health
Background:
- Chronic health conditions in children can impact family dynamics.
- Research on family functioning in youth with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) yields inconsistent results.
- A critical synthesis of existing literature is needed to clarify family functioning in pediatric FGIDs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize the literature on family functioning among youth diagnosed with FGIDs.
- To critically evaluate the quality of research examining family functioning in pediatric FGIDs.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was performed across PubMed, PsycInfo, and ProQuest.
- Included studies focused on children (0-18 years) with FGIDs, assessed family functioning, and were published in English.
- Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria, with quality assessed using a 3-point rating system.
Main Results:
- Children with FGIDs generally exhibited poorer family functioning compared to healthy controls.
- Factors such as child psychosocial functioning, disease characteristics, and sociodemographic variables were associated with family functioning.
- The average quality of the included studies was moderate (2.3/3).
Conclusions:
- Family functioning can be a significant challenge for families of children with FGIDs.
- Further research is recommended to investigate the bidirectional relationship between family functioning and child outcomes.
- Understanding these dynamics is crucial for advancing the treatment of pediatric FGIDs.
Objective:
Children with some chronic health conditions experience family functioning difficulties. However, research examining family functioning in youth with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) has produced mixed results. Therefore, the current review critically synthesized the literature on family functioning among youth with FGIDs.
Methods:
A systematic search using pediatric, family functioning, and FGID search terms was conducted in PubMed, PsycInfo, and ProQuest. Out of the 586 articles initially identified, 17 studies met inclusion criteria. Studies were included if they presented original research in English, assessed family functioning, and the study sample consisted of children (0-18 years) diagnosed with a FGID. Quality assessment ratings were conducted for each included study based on a previously developed scientific merit 3-point rating system.
Results:
The majority of studies (n = 13) examined family functioning between youth with FGIDs and comparison groups. The remaining studies explored associations between family functioning and study variables (e.g., child psychosocial functioning and sociodemographic factors) and examined family functioning clusters among children with FGIDs. In general, children with FGIDs demonstrated poorer family functioning compared to healthy counterparts. Findings also suggested that child psychosocial functioning, disease characteristics, and sociodemographic factors were related to family functioning among youth with FGIDs. The average quality of studies was moderate (M = 2.3).
Conclusions:
Maintaining healthy family functioning appears to be challenging for some families of children with FGIDs. Future research should explore the directionality of the relationship between family functioning and child physical and psychosocial outcomes to advance the understanding and treatment of pediatric FGIDs.
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