Volume 78, Issue 6 pp. 1241-1250
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Parent-child interaction is related to emotional and behavioral problems in pediatric intestinal failure

Rozemarijn A. L. Duister

Rozemarijn A. L. Duister

Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

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Lotte E. Vlug

Lotte E. Vlug

Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

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Merit M. Tabbers

Merit M. Tabbers

Department of Pediatrics, division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Edmond H. H. M. Rings

Edmond H. H. M. Rings

Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

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René M.H. Wijnen

René M.H. Wijnen

Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

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Marjolein Spoel

Marjolein Spoel

Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

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Barbara A. E. de Koning

Corresponding Author

Barbara A. E. de Koning

Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Correspondence Barbara A. E. de Koning, Department of Pediatrics, division of Gastroenterology, Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. 

Email: [email protected]

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Jeroen S. Legerstee

Jeroen S. Legerstee

Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

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Mijke P. Lambregtse-van den Berg

Mijke P. Lambregtse-van den Berg

Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

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the PICASsO Group
First published: 09 April 2024
Citations: 1

Rozemarijn A.L. Duister and Lotte E. Vlug are contributed equally to the study and therefore share first authorship.

Clinical Trial Registration (if any): MEC 2019-098, Dutch Trial Register NL8964, https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=NL8964.

Abstract

Objectives

Parent-child interaction in pediatric intestinal failure (IF) and in parenteral nutrition (PN) graduates can be disturbed due to parental responsibilities related to the condition, and could affect the child's emotional and behavioral functioning (EBF). The aim was to assess parent-child interaction, to examine associations with clinical features, and to relate parent-child interaction to EBF.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of IF patients and PN graduates aged 1.5−18 years and one primary caregiver was performed in two Dutch multidisciplinary pediatric IF teams. Parent-child interaction was observed using the Emotional Availability Scales (EAS), reported with the Parent Child Interaction Questionnaire (PACHIQ) and compared to normvalues when available. Associations between parent-child interaction and clinical factors and EBF were examined. EBF was assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist. All measures are validated.

Results

A total of 41 parent-child dyads were included, 17 (41.4%) received PN at time of assessment and median age was 8.9 [interquartile range 5.8−11.9] years. No significant differences in parent-reported interaction compared to normative values or between PN-receiving and weaned children were found. Exploratory multivariable regression indicated that only the child's female sex was significantly positively related to parent-child interaction. Parent-child interaction was negatively related to EBF for nonhostility, conflict resolution, and acceptance.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that (self-reported) parent-child interaction in IF patients and PN graduates is not significantly different as compared to healthy peers, and unrelated to clinical characteristics. However, aspects of parent-child interaction were correlated to EBF, potentially being a target for prevention or intervention in children with diminished EBF.

Graphical Abstract

This cross-sectional study addresses parent-child interaction in children with intestinal failure.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

The full text of this article hosted at iucr.org is unavailable due to technical difficulties.