Yusuf Öztürk

Family functioning and quality of life among children with anxiety disorder and healthy controls. A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND Studies have shown that children with anxiety disorders (ADs) present impaired family functioning and quality of life. We aimed to evaluate family functioning and quality of life among children with AD and healthy controls. DESIGN AND SETTING Cross-sectional study (survey) at two centers in Turkey. METHODS The study group comprised 42 children diagnosed with AD and 55 controls. The Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) questionnaire was filled out by their parents to measure the severity of anxiety symptoms. Family functioning among the children was assessed using the Family Assessment Device (FAD) and Parental Attitude Research Instrument (PARI). The childrens quality of life was assessed through the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). RESULTS The childrens average age was 10.00 ± 0.21 years in the AD group and 9.98 ± 1.53 years among the controls. There were higher scores on all FAD subscales in the AD group (2.15 ± 0.52; 2.29 ± 0.44; 2.44 ± 0.55; 2.10 ± 0.61; 2.56 ± 0.40; 2.32 ± 0.33; and 2.29 ± 0.47). On PARI subscales, there were significant differences favoring the AD group (p < 0.05), except for democratic attitude. All PedsQL subscales differed significantly between the groups, favoring the AD group. A statistically significant relationship was found between all PedsQL subscales and SCARED scores in the AD group. CONCLUSION We found that both family functioning and quality of life among children with AD were negatively affected. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are required to reach stronger conclusions.

Is Triple P effective in childhood anxiety disorder? A randomized controlled study

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: Considering the role of parenting in the aetiology and maintenance of anxiety disorders, working with parents is a promising treatment strategy. Triple P-positive parenting programme is a parent-focused cognitive behaviour therapy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Triple P in improvement in childhood anxiety disorders and also to assess its effects on behavioural and emotional problems, general anxiety level, severity of the disorder, and general psychosocial functioning. Parents’ mental health and general well-being were also evaluated. METHODS: In this randomized controlled study, the sample consisted of 74 children, aged between 8 and 12 years, who were diagnosed as anxiety disorder by Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children Present and Life-time Kiddie (K-SADS-PL). Following randomization into two equal groups, mothers of the first group participated to Group Triple P Programme, while the second group was receiving no treatment. The two groups were compared right before and after the intervention on rates of anxiety symptoms, emotional, and behavioural variables. RESULTS: Children’s general anxiety level was significantly lower in the intervention group following Triple P implementation. Behavioural and emotional problems were also reduced in the intervention group. Parental anxiety and general well-being were not significantly different between two groups. CONCLUSION: It is considered that Triple P may be useful in the treatment of children’s anxiety disorder but further studies about Triple P on children’s anxiety disorders are needed.

Abdominal epilepsy mimicking conversion disorder: a case report

ABSTRACT In children and adolescents, especially younger ones, recurrent abdominal pains may develop as a response to psychosocial stressors. They may be considered as functional and be one of the common reasons for clinical referrals. A rare cause of recurrent, organic abdominal pain is abdominal epilepsy. Abdominal epilepsy may be considered in differential diagnosis of patients that were thought to have functional complaints. In this case, a 16-year-old adolescent girl whose chief complaints included loss of consciousness and recurrent abdominal pains lasting for a year is presented.

COMPARISION OF FAMILY FUNCTIONING, MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH AND MATERNAL COPING STRATEGIES, BETWEEN THE CASES WHO ARE DIAGNOSED WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT AND HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER AND THE CASES WHO ARE DIAGNOSED WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY

Aim: Comparision of family functioning, maternal mental health and maternal coping strategies, between the cases who are diagnosed with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the cases who are diagnosed with intellectual disability (ID) and controls, was aimed in this study. Method: The study group consisted of 52 cases diagnosed with ADHD and 53 cases diagnosed with ID who are 6-12 years old. The control group (n=101) comprised patients of other clinics at hospital and was similar for gender and age to the ADHD and ID patients.. Sociodemographic form , family assessment device (FAD), general health questionnaire (GHQ), ways of coping inventory (WCI) were used to provide the data of the study. The forms were filled by mothers. Results: The sociodemographic features of cases and controls were similar. There was statistically significant difference in coping strategies and general mental health between groups. Roles, affective involvement, behaviour control subscales of family assessment device were statistically significant different between three groups while the other subscales of family assessment device were similar between groups. Conclusion: The finding, that mothers of children who are diagnosed with ADHD or ID have more difficulties in maternal mental health and maternal coping strategies and family functioning, showed that evaluating family functioning and especially maternal mental health and maternal coping strategies is as important as treating the children.

Comparing Family Functioning and Maternal Anxiety in Children with Attention and Hyperactivity Disorder and Controls

Aim: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood neurodevelopmental disorder. Factors related with parents affect family functioning and make changes in ADHD symptoms . We aimed to evaluate maternal anxiety and family functioning in children with ADHD comparing with controls and their mothers. Method: The study group consisted of 62 children (6-12 years old) diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The control group (62 children) comprised patients of other clinics at hospital and was matched for gender and age to the ADHD patients. The Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Aged Children- Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL) was used to diagnose ADHD and allowed comorbidities. All patients were treatment-naive. Du Paul Atention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder-Rating Scale -IV Inventory for ADHD symptoms, Family Assessment Device (FAD) for family functioning, State Trait Anxiety Inventory for maternal anxiety were used. Results: There was no significant difference between sociodemographic data of two groups.. The families of children with ADHD had more family dysfunction in roles, behavioral control, affective involvement subscales.. Mothers of children with ADHD had higher scores than controls in State and Trait Anxiet Inventory forms. Conclusion: ADHD generally continues into adolescence and adulthood and multiple functional impairments can be occured due to ADHD. If the relationship between maternal anxiety, family functioning and ADHD is understood well, treatment of ADHD will be provided more effectively.