Mental health problems in children of somatically ill parents, e.g. multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
Based on the investigation of 144 families (144 patients affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS), 109 partners, and 192 children) examined in three different European child and adolescent psychiatric University centres by means of questionnaires, we evaluated the prevalence of psychological symptoms in the offspring and associated risk factors such as duration and severity of the disease as well as depression of the ill and the healthy parent.


RESULTS
Indicate that the severe disease of MS is associated with depression of the ill and healthy parent. Ill parents, especially ill mothers, as well as depressed ill, or depressed healthy parents evaluate their children's mental health problems with a higher prevalence within the internalizing spectrum. Healthy parents report normal psychological adjustment of their children. If two parents present a depressive state, the prevalence of relevant psychological internalizing symptoms is twice or three times as high as the age norms.


CONCLUSIONS
Children in families with a parent affected by MS and associated depression of the parental couple are at high risk of mental health problems, especially internalizing disorders. In focusing on the mental health of children one must also be aware of the potential opportunities to address the parents' own psychological needs.
Steck
Barbara
B
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Basel, Schaffhauserrheinweg 55, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.
Amsler
Felix
F
Grether
Andrea
A
Dillier
Alexandra Schwald
AS
Baldus
Christiane
C
Haagen
Miriam
M
Diareme
L
L
Tsiantis
John
J
Kappos
Ludwig
L
Bürgin
Dieter
D
Romer
Georg
G
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology*; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012803:Sick Role; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires