Detailed contribution information
| Contribution title | 2976 - Psychopathology and parental stress in preschool children with incontinence |
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| Contribution code | PS03-66 (P) |
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| Form of presentation | Poster |
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| Abstract |
Objectives: Child temperament and parenting behaviors are known to be risk factors for a delayed acquisition of bladder and bowel control. The present study examines systematically the associations between psychopathological symptoms, temperament and parental stress in preschool children with incontinence as well as in continent controls. Methods: Preliminary data of 20 consecutively presented preschool children (70% boys, mean age = 5.5 years) with incontinence symptoms and/or constipation and their parents (mean age = 35.2 years), as well as 20 matched continent controls (40% boys, mean age = 5.3 years) and their parents (mean age = 36.6 years) are presented. All children received a physical examination, sonography and an one-dimensional intelligence test (CPM). Child psychopathology was measured with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL 1 ½ -5 or 4-18), the Preschool Feelings Checklist (PFC) and a structured, standardized psychiatric interview for preschool age (Standardisiertes Interview für das Vorschul-Alter (SIVA 0-5)). Parenting Stress was assessed with the German version of the Parenting Stress Index (PSI). Results: 52.6% of children had nocturnal enuresis (NE), 47.4% had daytime urinary incontinence (DUI), 41.2% had fecal incontinence (FI) and 14.3% had constipation. Incontinent children showed significantly more CBCL externalizing and internalizing symptoms, as well as total problems in the clinical range (> 90. percentile) compared to controls. Parents of incontinent children had higher scores on the child subscales (Distractibility/Hyperactivity, Adaptability, Reinforces Parent, Demandingness, Acceptability) and on the parent subscales (Competence, Isolation, Attachment) of the PSI, as well as a higher Total Score. Incontinent children showed significantly more symptoms in the PFC than continent controls. Conclusion: The preliminary findings show that parents of young children are highly stressed. When indicated, treatment of incontinence should be offered even at preschool age, especially in view of emotional symptoms in preschool children and high stress in their parents. |