Variations in psychological profile among children with recurrent abdominal pain.
This study was designed to determine whether distinct subgroups of children with recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) could be identified based on patterns of psychological functioning. Two hundred and eighty-three children (ages 8-17 years), and a primary caretaker, completed the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC) during the initial evaluation of RAP at a pediatric gastroenterology clinic. Cluster analysis of BASC scores supported a 3-cluster solution, with fair agreement observed between parents and children on cluster assignment. Approximately half of the sample identified no significant psychological problems. A small percentage (13%) evidenced intense and broad-based psychological problems, while the remainder (35-45%) indicated relative elevations in anxiety only. Cluster membership did not vary systematically by age, gender, race, or functional gastrointestinal disorder diagnosis. Distinct psychological profiles appear to exist for children with RAP. Targeting treatments to these profiles may improve the effectiveness and efficiency with which health professionals address pediatric abdominal pain.
Schurman
Jennifer Verrill
JV
Section of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, The Children's Mercy Hospital, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA. jschurman@cmh.edu
Danda
Caroline Elder
CE
Friesen
Craig A
CA
Hyman
Paul E
PE
Simon
Stephen D
SD
Cocjin
Jose T
JT
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012008:Recurrence; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires