Infants with Atopic Dermatitis: Maternal Hopelessness, Child-Rearing Attitudes and Perceived Infant Temperament

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common disease of childhood. It frequently starts in the first year of life. There is agreement on the existence of psychological influences on this disease. Although some studies in this field examine aspects of the parent-child relationship, studies concerning early infancy are very rare. The present study was conducted in order to find out whether maternal characteristics relevant to the mother-infant relationship, i.e. depressiveness/hopelessness, child-rearing attitudes and perceived infant behaviour, associated with infant AD. Methods: Two cohorts (3- to 4-month- and 10- to 12-month-old infants), each with 20 infants suffering from AD, and 20 healthy infants were recruited. AD infants were further divided into subgroups according to the diagnostic criteria: atopic family history, itching and characteristic locations of eczema. After a paediatric examination of the infant, mothers completed standardized questionnaires concerning depressiveness/hopelessness, child-rearing attitudes and perception of infant behaviour. Results: Varying with different diagnostic features of the infants’ AD, mothers of AD infants described themselves as more depressive/hopeless, as more anxious/overprotective and characterized their infant as less frequently positive and more frequently negative in its emotional behaviour compared to the control group. Conclusion: The results underline the importance of psychological support for mothers of infants with AD.

Childhood atopic dermatitis: A cross-sectional study of relationships between child and parent factors, atopic dermatitis management, and disease severity

“…Children with AD tend to experience more emotional and behavioural problems than their healthy peers (Absolon et al, 1997, Dennis et al, 2006, Elliott and Luker, 1997, Pauli-Pott et al, 1999, Reichenberg and Broberg, 2004, and the presence of increased difficulties has been verified by independent observation of child behaviour as well as by parent report (e.g. Daud et al, 1993).…”

“…Dennis et al, 2006); these contradictory results may be explained by wide variations in age and AD severity of child samples, and in measures of AD severity and child behaviour. Elevated levels of parenting stress, depression, and anxiety are also more common among parents of children with AD (Daud et al, 1993, Faught et al, 2007, Pauli-Pott et al, 1999, and reports of marriage instability attributed to the strain of caring for a child with AD are frequent (Daud et al, 1993, Elliott and Luker, 1997, Lawson et al, 1998.…”

In-Patient Treatment of Mothers with Depressive Disorders – Does Joint Admission of Their Children Have a Negative Effect on the Results of Treatment?

“…It appears important, particularly in the context of calculating staff needs in a time of performance-oriented hospital funding, to evaluate the indications for joint mother-child admission in a balanced and critical manner [25, 26]. On the other hand, many mothers – particularly those who are single parents – would otherwise not be in a position to enter into necessary treatment [27]. It might also be advantageous to promote other treatment concepts further, such as out-patient treatment for the mothers [23, 28].…”

Compliance to Mothers’ Instructions with Medical Treatment

“…They usually use dualistic words to describe these problems and identifi ed them in a wider class, such as internalizing (e.g., cry, ignore caregiver's instructions, fear, nervous, worry) and externalizing behavior (e.g., scream, beat people or things, break rules, run away; Achenbach & Edelbrock, 1979). In the case of pediatric atopic dermatitis, some studies correlate the disease with internalizing and externalizing behavior problems (e.g., Dennis, Rostill, Reed, & Gill, 2006;Fontes et al, 2005;Pauli-Pott, Darui, & Beckmann, 1999;Wamboldt, Schmitz, & Mrazek, 1998).…”