Top

Italian Journal of Pediatrics

Published in:

Open Access 01-12-2009 | Research

Functional constipation in children: does maternal personality matter?

Authors: Alireza Farnam, Mandana Rafeey, Sara Farhang, Saeedeh Khodjastejafari

Published in: Italian Journal of Pediatrics | Issue 1/2009

Abstract

Aim

To identify personality dimensions of mothers with a constipated child and compare it with those mothers of children without defecation problems.

Methods

We compared mothers of 150 children with functional constipation to mothers of 150 children with no such a problem attending to pediatric hospital of Tabriz University of medical sciences. Personality dimensions were evaluated by NEO five factor inventory after excluding any psychiatric disorders by an interview.

Results

Mean age (SD) was 28.8(18.6) months in constipated children and 20.0(19.3) months in controls, 54.6% of constipated children and 56.7% of controls were male. Mean age (SD) was 30.9(7.1) years in mothers of children with functional constipation and 30.1(7.6) years in controls.

Mothers of children with functional constipation scored lower in neuroticism and scored higher in extraversion, conscientiousness and agreeableness. Conscientiousness was the dominant dimension of personality in both groups.

Conclusion

Our results suggest the maternal personality as a factor to directly influence toileting behavior of their children resulting in functional constipation.

Available only for authorised users

Berg Van den MM, Benninga MA, Di Lorenzo C: Epidemiology of Childhood Constipation: A Systematic Review. Am J Gastroenterol. 2006, 101: 2401-9. 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2006.00771.x.CrossRefPubMed

Roma E, Adamidis D, Nikolara R, Constantopoulos A, Messaritakis J: Diet and chronic constipation in children: The role of fiber. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1999, 28: 169-74. 10.1097/00005176-199902000-00015.CrossRefPubMed

Issenman RM, Hewson S, Pirhonen D, Taylor W, Trosha A: Are chronic digestive complaints the result of abnormal dietary patterns? Diet and digestive complaints in children at 22 and 40 months of age. Am J Dis Child. 1987, 141: 679-82.CrossRefPubMed

Inan M, Aydiner CY, Tokuc B, Aksu B, Ayvaz S, Ayhan S: Factors associated with childhood constipation. J Paediatr Child Health. 2007, 43: 700-706. 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2007.01165.x.CrossRefPubMed

Amendola S, De Angelis P, Dallo'oglio L, Di Abriola GF, Di Lorenzo M: Combined approach to functional constipation in children. J Pediatr Surg. 2003, 38: 819-23. 10.1016/jpsu.2003.50174.CrossRefPubMed

Van Dijka M, Benningab MA, Grootenhuisa MA, Onland-van Nieuwenhuizena A, Lasta BA: Chronic childhood constipation: A review of the literature and the introduction of a protocolized behavioral intervention program. Patient Educ Couns. 2007, 67 (1–2): 63-77. 10.1016/j.pec.2007.02.002.CrossRef

Walker LS, Williams SE, Smith CA, Garber J, Van Slyke DA, Lipani TA: Parent attention versus distraction: Impact on symptom complaints by children with and without chronic functional abdominal pain. Pain. 2006, 122: 43-52. 10.1016/j.pain.2005.12.020.PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed

Collis DR, Norton LN, Wallis MC: Childhood chronic constipation: An innovative community-based parent education group program Collis. Australian Occupational Therapy J. 2007, 54: 307-309. 10.1111/j.1440-1630.2007.00638.x.

Kerns KA, Abraham MM, Schlegelmilch A, Morgan TA: Mother-child attachment in later middle childhood: Assessment approaches and associations with mood and emotion regulation. Attach Hum Dev. 2007, 9: 33-53. 10.1080/14616730601151441.CrossRefPubMed

10.

American Psychiatric Association: American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 1994, Washington DC: American Psychiatric Association, 320-327. 4

11.

Costa PT, McCrae RR: Stability and change in personality assessment: The revised NEO Personality Inventory in the year 2000. J Pers Assess. 1997, 68: 86-94. 10.1207/s15327752jpa6801_7.CrossRefPubMed

12.

Whitehead WE: Psychological aspects of functional gastrointestinal disorders. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 1996, 25: 21-34. 10.1016/S0889-8553(05)70363-0.CrossRefPubMed

13.

Starch ME: Challenging problems presenting as constipation. Am J Gastroenterol. 1999, 94: 567-74. 10.1111/j.1572-0241.1999.00917.x.CrossRef

14.

Farnam A, Somi MH, Sarami F, Farhang S, Yasrebinia S: Personality factors and profile in variants of irritable bowel syndrome. World J Gastroenterol. 2007, 13 (47): 6414-18. 10.3748/wjg.13.6414.PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed

15.

Ozokutan BH, Zoroglu S, Ceylan H, Ozkan KU: Psychological evaluation of children with idiopathic constipation and their parents. Pediatr Int. 2005, 47: 311-15. 10.1111/j.1442-200x.2005.02061.x.CrossRefPubMed

16.

Weisz JR, Suwanlert S, Chaiyasit W, Weiss B, Achenbach TM, Estman KL: Behavioral and emotional problems among Thai and American adolescents: parent reports for age 12–16. J Abnorm Psychol. 1993, 102: 395-403. 10.1037/0021-843X.102.3.395.CrossRefPubMed

17.

Schonwald A, Sherritt L, Stadtler A, Bridgemohan C: Factors associated with difficult toilet training. Pediatrics. 2004, 113: 1753-7. 10.1542/peds.113.6.1753.CrossRefPubMed

18.

Saulsman LM, Page AC: The five-factor model and personality disorder empirical literature: A meta-analytic review. Clinical Psychology Review. 2004, 23: 1055-1085. 10.1016/j.cpr.2002.09.001.CrossRefPubMed

Title: Functional constipation in children: does maternal personality matter?
Authors: Alireza Farnam
Mandana Rafeey
Sara Farhang
Saeedeh Khodjastejafari
Publication date: 01-12-2009
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Italian Journal of Pediatrics / Issue 1/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1824-7288
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1824-7288-35-25

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Functional constipation in children: does maternal personality matter?

Abstract

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 1/2009

Prevalence of hypospadias in Italy according to severity, gestational age and birthweight: an epidemiological study

Distribution and seasonality of rhinovirus and other respiratory viruses in a cross-section of asthmatic children in Trinidad, West Indies

Lung disease assessment in primary ciliary dyskinesia: a comparison between chest high-field magnetic resonance imaging and high-resolution computed tomography findings

Sublingual immunotherapy in children: facts and needs

Family-oriented and family-centered care in pediatrics

Can procalcitonin measurement help the diagnosis of osteomyelitis and septic arthritis? A prospective trial