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Psychopathology and relationship measures in children with inflammatory bowel disease and their parents
N Szajnberg1, V Krall, P Davis
1Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
Insights
Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and their parents show high rates of psychiatric diagnoses and insecure maternal attachment. These factors, along with marital issues and illness severity, indicate at-risk family relationships.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Child Psychiatry
- Family Psychology
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) significantly impacts children's quality of life.
- Parental mental health and family dynamics are crucial in managing chronic childhood illnesses.
- Previous research indicates a potential link between IBD and psychological distress in families.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses in children with IBD and their parents.
- To assess maternal attachment, marital relationships, and life stressors in families with IBD.
- To explore correlations between illness severity, family stress, and psychological profiles.
Main Methods:
- Children with IBD and their parents underwent assessment for psychiatric diagnoses using DMS-III criteria.
- Evaluations included maternal attachment, marital relationship quality, and life stress inventories.
- Cognitive and affective profiles of the children were also assessed.
Main Results:
- Eleven of 15 children (73%) and 21 of 27 parents (78%) received psychiatric diagnoses.
- Three children exhibited suicidal ideation.
- Thirteen of 15 mothers (87%) displayed insecure attachment patterns.
- Marital difficulties and IBD medical severity correlated significantly with increased life stress.
Conclusions:
- The study reveals a high comorbidity of psychiatric disorders in children with IBD and their families.
- Insecure maternal attachment is prevalent, suggesting potential relational challenges.
- Elevated psychiatric diagnoses and attachment issues highlight the need for integrated family support in IBD care.
Abstract:
Children with inflammatory bowel disease and their parents were assessed for DMS-III diagnoses, maternal attachment, marital relationship, life stresses, illness severity and cognitive/affective profile. Eleven of 15 children and 21 of 27 parents had psychiatric diagnoses. Three children were suicidal. Thirteen of 15 mothers had insecure attachment. Marital difficulties and medical severity correlated with life stress. The higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders than epidemiologically and of insecure attachment suggest at-risk relationships.