Views on Psychosocial Functioning: Responses from Children with Imperforate Anus and Their Parents

Abstract

Introduction High and intermediate imperforate anus (IA) is a congenital malformation that may entail psychosocial consequences. The objective was to examine disagreement on psychosocial functioning in reports between children with high and intermediate IA and their mothers. Method Twenty-five children with IA and their mothers participated, including two groups for comparison. The responses on 15 psychosocial variables were compared on pair-level, between the mothers and their child, within each group. Results Statistically significant differences were found on the psychological variables in all groups, for example, feelings of sadness. For responses related to the social variables, few statistical discrepancies were found, except for the items “bullied” and “teased.” Two specific discrepancies emerged in responses from children with IA and their mothers, the child's self-confidence and the mothers' thinking about their child's disability. Discussion It is vital to gather information from both the child and the parents in order to obtain a complete assessment of the child. The course of disagreement can give valuable information for future care, including where to exert extra effort.