Psychological problems in turkish asthmatic children and their families

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Abstract

Background

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of impaired breathing. The disease causes psychological problems due to hospitalization, long-term medication use, and restricted social life

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the severity and duration of asthma and psychological problems in asthmatic children, as well as the probability of maternal anxiety

Methods

Thirty-seven children with mild asthma, 55 with moderate asthma and eight with severe asthma were compered with 50 healthy children. The severity of asthma was evaluated using the Pearlman-Bierman classification. Psychological adjustment was measured using the Achenback child Behavior checklist and Spielberger’s scale

Results

Emotional factors and family dynamics were found to be triggering factors for disease attacks in 16 % of children with mild asthma, 38 % of those with moderate asthma and 63 % of those with severe asthma (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the mean maternal anxiety score between the disease severity groups (p > 0.05). The mean depression score was significantly higher in children with moderate and severe asthma than in those with mild asthma (p < 0.05). Disease duration showed no effect on depression and anxiety

Conclusion

Both asthmatic children and their mothers are negatively affected by the disease

Resumen

Antecedentes

El asma es un trastorno respiratorio crónico caracterizado por episodios recurrentes de dificultad para respirar. La enfermedad causa algunos problemas psicológicos por la necesidad de hospitalización, el uso de medicación a largo plazo y la limitación de la vida social

Objetivo

El objetivo de este estudio era investigar la relación entre la gravedad y la duración del asma y los problemas psicológicos en niños asmáticos y la probabilidad de ansiedad de las madres

Métodos

Se comparó a 37 niños con asma leve, 55 con asma moderada y 8 con asma grave con 50 niños sanos. La gravedad del asma se evaluó utilizando la clasificación de Pearlman-Bierman. La adaptación psicológica se midió empleando la lista de comprobación de comportamiento infantil de Achenback y la escala de Spielberger

Resultados

Se comprobó que los factores emocionales y la dinámica familiar eran factores desencadenantes de las crisis de asma en el 16 % de los pacientes con asma leve, el 38 % de los enfermos conasma moderada y el 63 % de los pacientes con asma grave (p < 0,05). No hubo diferencias significativas en la puntuación media de la ansiedad de la madre entre los grupos de gravedad de la enfermedad (p > 0,05). En los grupos con asma moderada y grave se observó que la puntuación media de depresión era significativamente mayor que en el grupo con asma leve (p < 0,05). Se apreció que la duración de la enfermedad no influía en la depresión y la ansiedad

Conclusión

La enfermedad afecta negativamente a los niños asmáticos y a las madres

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Cited by (27)

  • Intergenerational transmission of chronic physical disease via chronic mental disorders: The potential role of addictive behaviors

    2008, Addictive Behaviors
    Citation Excerpt :

    Further research will be needed, it seems, in order to distinguish a specific prenatal/intrauterine mechanism for this pathway from a genetic or other familial transmission pathway. Evidence to date suggests an association between parental mental health problems and increased risk of asthma onset in children (e.g., Goodwin, Wickramaratne, Nomura, & Weissman, 2007; Klinnert et al., 2001; Ortega et al., 2004), increased severity of asthma in youth (e.g., Akcakaya et al., 2003; Mrazek & Miller, 1987) and poorer asthma management (Frankel & Wamboldt, 1998) including increased health service use and ER use (Bosley, Corden, & Cochrane, 1966; Shalowitz, Berry, Quinn, & Wolf, 2000). In sum, there is mounting evidence of a relationship between parental mental disorders and increased risk of asthma in children.

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