Familial psychological factors are associated with encopresis

• Published in: Pediatrics international Vol. 57; no. 1; pp. 143 - 148
• Main Authors: Akdemir, Devrim, Çengel Kültür, S Ebru, Saltık Temizel, İnci Nur, Zeki, Ayşe, Şenses Dinç, Gülser
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2015
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Child; encopresis; Encopresis - etiology; Encopresis - psychology; Families & family life; Family - psychology; family functioning; Female; Gastrointestinal diseases; Humans; Male; maternal psychiatric symptoms; Medical treatment; Mothers - psychology; parenting; Parents & parenting; Pediatrics; Psychiatry; Stress, Psychological - complications; Stress, Psychological - psychology; treatment; family functioning; encopresis; treatment; maternal psychiatric symptoms; parenting
• ISSN: 1328-8067; 1442-200X
• DOI: 10.1111/ped.12427

Background The aim of this study was to assess maternal psychiatric symptoms, family functioning and parenting styles in children with encopresis. Methods Forty‐one children with encopresis were compared to 29 children without any psychiatric disorder. Results Higher maternal psychiatric symptoms were found in children with encopresis. The general family functioning and strictness/supervision in parenting were significant predictors of encopresis. Conclusions Family functioning may be screened in children with encopresis, especially when standard interventions have had limited success. Identification and treatment of familial factors may enhance the treatment efficacy in encopresis.