Evans Subhadra, Keenan Thomas R, Shipton Edward A
Department of Health and Social Care, University of Canterbury, New Zealand.
J Paediatr Child Health. 2007 Apr;43(4):262-70. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2007.01057.x.
There is limited research examining the functioning of children living with parental chronic pain and illness. The aim of this study was to examine the psychosocial adjustment and physical health of children living with a mother experiencing chronic pain.
One-hundred and three children aged 6-12 years served as participants, with approximately equal numbers of children in maternal chronic pain (n=55) and control groups (n=48). Children completed self-reports about their internalising behaviour, health and attachment security. Mothers, fathers and teachers completed questionnaires relating to children's internalising and externalising behaviour, social behaviour and physical health.
Reports from children, mothers and fathers indicated significantly more internalising, externalising, insecure attachment and social and health problems for children in the maternal chronic pain group compared with control children. Teachers reported decreased social skills and increased pain complaints for children in the maternal chronic pain group. Boys in the maternal chronic pain group appear to be affected more than girls. Boys reported more anxiety and insecure attachment, while mothers reported greater social problems and increased illness behaviour for boys. Characteristics of the mother's pain condition, such as, severity, length and frequency were generally unrelated to child functioning.
The study demonstrates the importance of maternal and family variables to child outcomes. The results are discussed in terms of maternal chronic pain comprising a considerable, yet rarely studied, influence in the lives of young children.
关于患有慢性疼痛和疾病的父母陪伴下儿童的机能研究有限。本研究旨在考察与患有慢性疼痛的母亲生活在一起的儿童的心理社会适应情况和身体健康状况。
103名6至12岁的儿童作为参与者，患有母亲慢性疼痛的儿童组（n = 55）和对照组（n = 48）中的儿童数量大致相等。儿童完成了关于其内化行为、健康状况和依恋安全性的自我报告。母亲、父亲和教师完成了与儿童内化和外化行为、社会行为及身体健康相关的问卷。
儿童、母亲和父亲的报告显示，与对照组儿童相比，患有母亲慢性疼痛的儿童组中的儿童在内化、外化、不安全依恋以及社会和健康问题方面明显更多。教师报告称，患有母亲慢性疼痛的儿童组中的儿童社交技能下降，疼痛主诉增加。患有母亲慢性疼痛的儿童组中的男孩似乎比女孩受到的影响更大。男孩报告有更多焦虑和不安全依恋，而母亲报告男孩有更大的社会问题和更多的疾病行为。母亲疼痛状况的特征，如严重程度、持续时间和频率，通常与儿童机能无关。
该研究证明了母亲和家庭变量对儿童结局的重要性。研究结果将从母亲慢性疼痛在幼儿生活中构成相当大但很少被研究的影响这一角度进行讨论。
