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Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
Published on: February 11, 2017
Emotional and behavioral problems during preschool years and risk of asthma among children
Natalie Durbeej1, Anton Dahlberg1, Sena Yildirim1
1Child Health and Parenting (CHAP), Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Insights
Preschoolers with emotional symptoms face a higher risk of developing asthma later in life. This study highlights a link between early emotional well-being and later respiratory health in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Child Psychology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Previous studies linked childhood emotional and behavioral problems to asthma.
- Research on preschool emotional problems and subsequent asthma risk is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between preschool emotional and behavioral problems and the risk of developing asthma in Swedish children.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal cohort study of 6269 children aged 3-5 years.
- Emotional and behavioral problems assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).
- Asthma diagnoses tracked for a mean of 7 years via the National Patient Register.
Main Results:
- Children with emotional symptoms in preschool, as reported by mothers, fathers, or teachers, had a significantly increased risk of subsequent asthma.
- No significant association was found between conduct problems, peer issues, hyperactivity, and asthma risk.
- Emotional symptoms demonstrated a consistent association with an elevated risk of developing asthma.
Conclusions:
- Preschool emotional symptoms are associated with an increased risk of developing asthma.
- Findings suggest potential benefits from interventions addressing both psychological and physical aspects of asthma in children with early emotional symptoms.
Abstract:
Previous research has suggested an association between emotional and behavioral problems and asthma in school-aged children. However, research on the relation between emotional and behavioral problems during preschool years and subsequent asthma is lacking. We aimed to estimate the association between emotional and behavioral problems during preschool years and the risk of subsequent asthma among children in Sweden. In this longitudinal cohort study, we used data on children (n = 6269), 3-5 years of age, whose mothers, fathers and/or preschool teachers had responded to the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for assessment of emotional and behavioral problems, and who were followed for a mean of 7 years with regard to asthma diagnoses collected from the National Patient Register. Children identified with emotional symptoms as rated by mothers (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21-2.25), fathers (HR: 1.50, 95% CI 1.09-2.07) and preschool teachers (HR: 1.55, 95% CI 1.09-2.23) during the preschool years had an increased risk of asthma, compared to children with no emotional symptoms. Conduct problems, peer-relationship problems, and hyperactivity/inattention were not associated with the risk of asthma. Emotional symptoms during preschool years were associated with an increased risk of subsequent asthma. If our findings are replicated by future studies, children with emotional symptoms during preschool years might benefit from interventions targeting both psychological and somatic aspects of asthma.
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