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Childhood chronic physical illness and adult emotional health: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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posted on 2023-06-09, 05:09 authored by Ekin Secinti, Ellen J Thompson, Marcus Richards, Darya GaysinaDarya Gaysina
Background: Childhood chronic physical illness is associated with a greater vulnerability for emotional problems (i.e., depression and anxiety) in childhood. However, little is known about life-long effects of childhood chronic physical illness on mental health. The present study aims to systematically review evidence for associations between eight chronic physical illnesses with childhood onset (arthritis, asthma, cancer, chronic renal failure, congenital heart disease, cystic fibrosis, type 1 diabetes, and epilepsy) and adult emotional problems. Methods: A database search of MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, and ScienceDirect was undertaken, and random effects meta-analyses were used to synthesize evidence from eligible studies. Results: In total, 37 studies were eligible for the systematic review (n = 45,733) and of these, 34 studies were included into the meta-analyses (n = 45,358). There were overall associations between childhood chronic physical illness and adult depression (OR = 1.31; 95% CI [1.12, 1.54]) and anxiety (OR = 1.47; 95% CI [1.13, 1.92]). Separate meta-analyses for childhood asthma, type 1 diabetes and cancer were also conducted, with cancer being significantly associated with adult depression (OR = 1.19; 95% CI [1.00, 1.42]). Conclusions: The effects of childhood chronic physical illness on the risk of emotional problems persist beyond childhood and adolescence. Mental health prevention and intervention strategies targeting children with chronic physical illnesses can have long-term benefits.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry

ISSN

0021-9630

Publisher

Wiley

Issue

7

Volume

58

Page range

753-769

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2017-02-22

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-04-28

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2017-02-22

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