Family Functioning in Pediatric Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Systematic Review

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.