This article takes parental perception as the starting point of an analysis of the relationship between ill children, their families, and their doctors in the handling of a child's illness. A modified version of Creer, Marion, and Creer's Asthma Problem Behavior Checklist, adapted to suit Italian conditions, was used. The questionnaire was given to a sample of 460 parents of 230 preadolescent children. The sample was divided into two groups: The first sample was comprised of 84 parents of 42 preadolescent children with atopic symptoms (asthma, bronchitis, or hay fever), and the second sample was comprised of 376 parents of 188 preadolescents who had never had either atopic disturbances or any other serious disease. The results showed that both groups of parents felt their children were capable of autonomously managing their disease, and that they see medical facilities as their primary resource. Children were not perceived as being altered by their illness, although their illness undoubtedly affected family relationships; this was particularly true in the case of families with members who experience atopic problems. The factors causing the greatest difficulties were: disagreements over treatment, anxiety caused by the disease, and the sacrifices made by family members as a result of illness.
In this editorial, we discuss how the diffusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based tools—such as the recently available conversational AIs—could impact and transform eating disorders (EDs) care. We try to envision the possible use of AI by individuals affected by EDs and by clinicians, in terms of prevention, support to treatment, and development of new and actually personalized treatment strategies. We then focus on how the introduction of AI into psychotherapy could either represent an element of disruption for the therapeutical relationship or be positively and creatively integrated into session and inter-sessional dynamics. As technological advancements open scenarios where anyone could have access to a personal and all-knowing “oracle”, the ability to formulate questions, individuals’ experiences, and the scientific rigor with which clinicians study them must remain at the center of our work. Ethical and legal issues about the use of AI are also considered.
Fourteen family triads with an asthmatic child (ages 8-13) and a similar control group were studied. The process of decision making was used as an indicator of the family relationships. The variables analyzed were spontaneous agreement, time needed to arrive at a decision, satisfaction with the choice, and chaotic responses. The results showed that families with asthmatic children differ in some ways from the control families. These differences include mode of communication, family organization, and presence/ absence of conflicts. We conclude that it is necessary to find within the family the resources and the competence needed in order to maintain the disease within physiological limits and to avoid aggravation of the symptoms.
The aim of this study was to explore the possibility of clinically applying the results of empirical research studies, conducted by members of the Centro Auxologico Italiano di Piancavallo, to psychosomatic pathologies. These studies revealed the following typical aspects of relationships existing in families with an asthmatic child: a high degree of trust in the attending physician; the presence of dysfunctional interrelational dynamics within the family, particularly the denial of conflicts and the confusion of generational levels; and the need to develop family resources for preventive purposes. These results led to our decision to establish a therapeutic team (consisting of an allergist, a psychiatrist, and psychologists) that would be responsible for considering the symptom in both its organic and relational aspects. This team has completed the study of four cases of asthma and one of atopic eczema. Our interventions are based on a division of responsibilities between psychotherapists and allergists, and on constant efforts to redefine dysfunctional dynamics and to support family resources. We include a case study that reflects this specific type of intervention, and consider the possibility of extending its use.
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