Abstract
Previous studies have shown that parental protectiveness is associated with increased pain and disability in Functional Abdominal Pain Disorder (FAPD) but the role that perceived child self-efficacy may play remains unclear. One reason why parents may react protectively towards their child’s pain is that they perceive their child to be unable to cope or function normally while in pain (perceived low self-efficacy). This study sought to examine (a) the association between parent-perceived child pain self-efficacy and child health outcomes (symptom severity and disability); and (b) the role of parental protectiveness as a mediator of this association. Participants were 316 parents of children aged 7–12 years with FAPD. Parents completed measures of perceived child self-efficacy when in pain, their own protective responses to their child’s pain, child gastrointestinal (GI) symptom severity, and child functional disability. Parent-perceived child self-efficacy was inversely associated with parent-reported child GI symptom severity and disability, and parental protectiveness mediated these associations. These results suggest that parents who perceive their child to have low self-efficacy to cope with pain respond more protectively when they believe he/she is in pain, and this, in turn, is associated with higher levels of GI symptoms and disability in their child. This finding suggests that directly addressing parent beliefs about their child’s ability to manage pain should be included as a component of FAPD, and potentially other child treatment interventions.
Highlights
One of the most common recurrent pain complaints of childhood is abdominal pain, which affects approximately 13.5% of children worldwide [1]
Parent-perceived child self-efficacy was inversely correlated with parental protectiveness (r = −0.55, p < 0.01), parent-reported child GI symptom severity (r = −0.25, p < 0.01), and parent-reported child disability (r = −0.43, p < 0.01)
Parental protectiveness was positively correlated with child GI symptom severity (r = 0.25, p < 0.01) and child disability (r = 0.39, p < 0.01); and child GI symptom severity was positively correlated with child disability (r = 0.46; p < 0.01)
Summary
One of the most common recurrent pain complaints of childhood is abdominal pain, which affects approximately 13.5% of children worldwide [1]. FAPD accounts for approximately 3% of visits to pediatricians [3], more than 50% of the referrals to gastroenterology clinics [4], and is the main reason for gastrointestinal (GI) emergency room visits among children [5]. 22 of experience frequent abdominal pain interferes withvisits normal activities, and have higher rates of main reason reason for gastrointestinal gastrointestinal (GI)that emergency room among children [5]. Children with disability and other somatic complaints. The cognitions, psychological state, and pain behaviors of parents have all been shown to be higher rates of disability and other somatic complaints. Higher rates of disability and other somatic complaints
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
