Developmental vulnerabilities in children of chronically ill parents: a population-based linked data study

Abstract

BackgroundCurrently, there is mixed evidence regarding the effects on children when a parent is chronically ill. Research has also primarily been conducted with adolescent samples. This study investigated developmental vulnerabilities in young children of parents with chronic illness.MethodsThis study used linked administrative data. The study population included children born in Western Australia during 2003–2004 (n=19 071; mean age 5.5 years). The outcome measure was a score in the bottom 25% on any of the five developmental domains (physical, social, emotional, communicative and cognitive) of the Australian Early Development Census (2009 collection). Parental chronic illnesses were identified from hospital and cancer registry records, during the period from 1 year prior to the child’s birth and until the end of 2009.ResultsHigher odds of developmental vulnerabilities in physical, social, emotional and communication domains were observed for daughters of chronically ill mothers. Sons of chronically ill mothers had increased odds of language and cognitive difficulties. Risk level increased with each additional year of exposure to maternal chronic illness. Results also indicated increased odds of developmental vulnerabilities for children of mothers experiencing multiple compared with single chronic conditions; however, results were not statistically significant (all p>0.05). No association between fathers’ chronic illness and children’s developmental outcomes was found.ConclusionsMaternal chronic illness is associated with an increased risk of poor developmental outcomes for children, particularly daughters. Healthcare services have an important role to play in linking families into appropriate family-centred services to best support the needs of chronically ill mothers.

Psychosocial functioning in adolescents growing up with chronic disease: The Dutch HBSC study

“…In addition to having a chronic disease oneself, having a family member (sibling or parent) with a chronic disease was associated with less optimal psychosocial functioning, even if the adolescents did not suffer from a disease themselves. This apparent spillover effect has been previously linked to the emotional impact, increased amount of physical, social and financial stress, lack of attention or guidance (caregiving), altered roles within the family, and limited resources [17,21,26,29]. In line with the finding that these adolescents reported lower family support than their healthy peers, these adolescents may take on a caregiver role early on in life, which may be accompanied with emotional challenges, withhold them from engaging in normal daily-life activities, and complicate interactions with peers [26,41].…”

“…It may impact family functioning in terms of physical, emotional, social, and financial stress and may affect daily activities-like caregiving-and family dynamics [17][18][19][20]. For example, having a chronically ill parent is related with increased stress, internalizing problems, substance use, and risk of poorer developmental outcomes for adolescents [21][22][23][24][25][26]. Similarly, siblings of chronically ill children have been found to be at increased risk for psychosocial problems and impaired cognitive and academic development [27][28][29].…”

Parental Chronic Illness, Internalizing Problems in Young Adulthood and the Mediating Role of Adolescent Attachment to Parents: A Prospective Cohort Study

“…The risk of adverse outcomes in offspring may increase with the duration and severity of the parent's illness (5,10). Outcomes for children with chronically ill parents may differ and depend on the sex of the child and the parent (12). Chronic maternal illnesses were associated with poor developmental outcomes, particularly for daughters (10,12,13).…”

“…Outcomes for children with chronically ill parents may differ and depend on the sex of the child and the parent (12). Chronic maternal illnesses were associated with poor developmental outcomes, particularly for daughters (10,12,13). Paternal chronic illness has been less investigated than maternal chronic illness, and the results by large indicated no significant associations with adolescents' adjustment (10,12,13).…”

“…Knowledge of the longitudinal effects of parental chronic illness is scarce and inconsistent; however, some studies have indicated that the increased risk of internalizing symptoms persists into adulthood (14,22). Hence, research into potential mediating and moderating factors in the pathways between parental chronic illness and internalizing symptoms in adolescents as they transition into adulthood is essential for developing effective interventions for families experiencing parental illness (12,18,23).…”