BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown a relationship between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and psychological stress. Adverse parenting is recognized as an important risk factor for the development of psychiatric disorders in adulthood.

OBJECTIVE

The authors sought to further investigate this relationship by clarifying aspects of the bonding relationship in IBD patients and control subjects.

METHOD

A group of 307 patients with IBD and a group of 307 healthy subjects filled out the questionnaire Parental Bonding Instrument.

RESULTS

Patients with IBD perceived their parents' behaviors as characterized by low care and paternal overprotection; the category Optimal Parenting differs highly in the two samples.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated an association between inadequate parenting and a chronic physical illness. These findings are consistent with a growing literature that links early parental experience to chronic illness.