Psycho-emotional portrait of primary school-age children with recurrent respiratory infections

Abstract

Respiratory infections occupy a leading place in the structure of the population’s morbidity, especially among children. At the same time, recurrent respiratory infections (RRIs) impose the main burden on society and families. Most of the factors contributing to the manifestation of the RRI phenomenon have already been well-studied. However, the influence of psychological and emotional aspects on a child’s health has remained largely overlooked. Aim. to study the psychological characteristics of children aged 5–7 years in comparison to episodically ill peers and their correlation with local immunity indicators. Materials and Methods. The study involved 80 children, with 60 in the main group (children with recurrent respiratory infections) and 20 in the control group (episodically ill children). For psychological testing (psychometrics), the following methods were used: Blob Tree test (P. Wilson) to determine motivation and adaptation of children in a group setting. The projective „Family Sociogram‟ test (E.G. Aidemiller) to determine the place of the subject in the system of interpersonal relationships and to assess the nature of communication within the family. A modified version of A. Etkind’s Color Relations Test was used to determine individual typological personality characteristics and attitudes towards significant people and the surrounding environment on both a conscious and partially unconscious level. Clinical laboratory examination included measuring levels of secretory IgA and lysozyme in unstimulated saliva. Results. When analyzing the data obtained, a statistically significant difference was found between the results of children in the main and control groups. Conclusions. During color selection, children with RRIs more often associated themselves with the color red (40.7 %), their mothers with purple (40.7 %), and kindergarten or school with yellow (29.7 %) compared to episodically ill peers (p < 0.05). Children with RRIs in the „Family Sociogram‟ test more often than episodically ill peers demonstrated reduced self-esteem (73 % vs. 30 %, p = 0.038). In the Blob Tree test, children with RRIs differ in their first choice (current position in the group) from episodically ill peers (p < 0.0001). The level of sIgA and lysozyme in saliva in the group of children with RRIs correlates with the sensory choice of color for the mother (p < 0.0001).