Citation

Pinquart M, Shen Y. J. Pediatr. Psychol. 2011; 36(9): 1003-1016.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, Philipps University.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/jpepsy/jsr042

PMID

21810623

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the risk of emotional and behavioral problems among children with a chronic physical illness. METHODS: Random-effects meta-analysis was computed to integrate the results of 569 studies that used the Child Behavior Checklist, Youth Self Report, and the Teacher Report Form. RESULTS: Young people with a chronic physical illness have higher levels of internalizing (g = .47 standard mean difference), externalizing (g = .22) and total behavior problems (g = .42) than healthy peers. The largest differences were found in parental ratings and the weakest differences in adolescent self-ratings. Strongest elevations of internalizing problems were found for chronic fatigue syndrome and strongest elevations of externalizing problems were observed for epilepsy and migraine/tension-type headache. Effects also varied by country and, in part, by age, gender, year of publication, and study design. CONCLUSIONS: The results call for regular screens for psychological distress and referrals for mental health services, when needed.

Language: en