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Psychological Aspects of IBD in Children and Adolescents

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Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encounter many challenges to psychological adjustment. This chapter reviews psychological aspects of pediatric IBD, psychosocial interventions, and recommendations for treatment. Overall, children with IBD are at increased risk for difficulties in psychological functioning in the areas of depression and anxiety, quality of life, and social functioning. Evidence is mixed and/or limited in the areas of family functioning, stress and coping, and educational functioning. Self-esteem appears to be similar to that of healthy children. Up to 35 % may have clinically significant difficulty in psychosocial functioning. The psychological difficulty experienced by children with IBD is generally similar to that experienced in other chronic health conditions.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is effective in improving psychological difficulty in children with IBD. Individual therapy, individual plus family therapy, group therapy, and an IBD camp have all been successful in improving outcomes with these youth. Psychotherapy is warranted whenever psychological problems cause significant distress and/or significantly interfere with functioning in any area such as school, social interactions, or family relationships.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Biobehavioral Health, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, 43205, Columbus, OH, USA

    Laura M. Mackner PhD

  2. Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA

    Wallace V. Crandall MD

Authors
  1. Laura M. Mackner PhD
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  2. Wallace V. Crandall MD
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Correspondence to Laura M. Mackner PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Perelman School of Medicine, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, 34th St. & Civic Ctr. Blvd., Philadelphia, 19104, Pennsylvania, USA

    Petar Mamula

  2. School of Medicine--Greenville, Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition, University of South Carolina, 200 Patewood Drive, Suite A-140, Greenville, 29615, South Carolina, USA

    Jonathan E. Markowitz

  3. Perelman School of Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, 34th St. & Civic Ctr. Blvd., Philadelphia, 19104, Pennsylvania, USA

    Robert N. Baldassano

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Mackner, L.M., Crandall, W.V. (2013). Psychological Aspects of IBD in Children and Adolescents. In: Mamula, P., Markowitz, J., Baldassano, R. (eds) Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5061-0_44

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5061-0_44

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