title: Do Mothers Benefit from a Child-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT) for Childhood Functional Abdominal Pain? A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.
abstract: While the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) approaches for childhood functional abdominal pain (FAP) is well-established for child outcomes, only a few studies have reported on parent-specific outcomes. This randomized controlled pilot trial analyzed effects of a group CBT on maternal variables (i.e., pain-related behavior, worries and self-efficacy, as well as general psychosocial strain).Methods: The sample constituted of 15 mothers in the intervention group (IG) and 14 mothers in the waitlist control group (WLC). Outcome measures were assessed pre-treatment, post-treatment and at three months follow-up.Results: Analyses revealed significant, large changes in maladaptive maternal reactions related to the child's abdominal pain in the IG compared to the WLC-i.e., reduced attention (d= 0.95), medical help-seeking (d= 0.92), worries (d= 1.03), as well as a significant increase in behaviors that encourage the child's self-management (d= 1.03). In addition, maternal self-efficacy in dealing with a child's pain significantly increased in the IG as well (d= 0.92). Treatment effects emerged post-treatment and could be maintained until three months follow-up. There were no effects on general self-efficacy and maternal quality of life.Conclusion: While these results are promising, and underline the efficacy of the CBT approach for both the child and mothers, further studies, including long-term follow-ups, are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Counseling Psychology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam 14469, Germany. calvano@uni-potsdam.de.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Calvano
authors.affiliation: Deutsche Morbus Crohn/Colitis ulcerosa Vereinigung (DCCV e.V.), Berlin 10179, Germany. mgross@dccv.de.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Groß
authors.affiliation: Counseling Psychology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam 14469, Germany. warschb@uni-potsdam.de.
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Warschburger
keywords: CBT; RCT; behavior; functional abdominal pain; parents; self-efficacy; waitlist control