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Psychological distress and coping efficacy in children with disorders of gut-brain interaction

Neha R Santucci1,2, Carlos Alberto Velasco-Benitez3, Natoshia Cunningham4

  • 1Pediatric Gastroenterology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

Neurogastroenterology and Motility
|December 10, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Colombian schoolchildren with disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs) exhibit higher psychological distress, including anxiety and somatization, and lower coping efficacy. These findings underscore the need to address psychological factors in DGBI treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Psychology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Mental Health Research

Background:

  • Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBIs) are influenced by psychological factors.
  • Understanding psychological distress in affected children is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate psychological distress in Colombian schoolchildren with and without DGBIs.
  • To compare psychological factors between children with DGBIs and their healthy peers.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 1496 schoolchildren (ages 8-18) in Colombia participated.
  • Validated questionnaires assessed DGBIs, anxiety (State Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children), somatization (Children's Somatization Inventory), and coping efficacy.
  • Data were compared between children with DGBIs, functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs), and healthy controls.

Main Results:

  • Children with DGBIs reported significantly higher trait anxiety, emotional sensitivity, and somatization (p < 0.001 each) and lower coping efficacy (p = 0.02) compared to healthy peers.
  • Females exhibited higher trait anxiety and somatization.
  • Children with FAPDs also showed increased trait anxiety and somatization compared to healthy youth.

Conclusions:

  • Psychological distress, including anxiety and somatization, is more prevalent in children with DGBIs.
  • Lower coping efficacy is associated with DGBIs in this population.
  • Treatment for DGBIs should incorporate psychological interventions focusing on resilience and conflict resolution.
Abstract

Keywords:
Latin Americaanxietycopingfunctional abdominal pain disordersfunctional gastrointestinal disorderspediatricsomatization

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