EVALUATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF MOTHERS OF CHILDREN HAVING CHRONIC FUNCTIONAL CONSTIPATION

Z AZAM; N ZARQOON; W AHMAD; CM AWAIS; L RASOOL; B HUSSAIN; MF GONDAL

doi:10.54112/pjicm.v5i02.170

Authors

Z AZAM Department of Pediatric Surgery, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
N ZARQOON Department of Pediatric Surgery, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
W AHMAD Department of Pediatric Surgery, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
CM AWAIS Department of Pediatric Surgery, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
L RASOOL Department of Pediatric Surgery, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
B HUSSAIN Department of Pediatric Surgery, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
MF GONDAL Department of Pediatric Surgery, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54112/pjicm.v5i02.170

Keywords:

Functional Constipation, Psychological Health, Psychological QOL

Abstract

Background: Chronic functional constipation (CFC) is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder in children, defined by the ROME IV criteria, and is associated with infrequent, painful, or difficult bowel movements in the absence of an organic cause. Beyond its physical burden, CFC negatively influences the psychological wellbeing, school performance, and social functioning of affected children. Importantly, the psychological health of mothers of children with CFC, which may impact disease management, remains underexplored. Objective: To evaluate the psychological health of mothers of children with chronic functional constipation and compare it with that of mothers of healthy controls. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Setting: Department of Pediatrics, Rawalpindi Medical University. Duration of Study: September 2024 to March 2025. Methods: A total of 60 mothers were recruited through non-random convenience sampling and divided equally into two groups: mothers of children with CFC (Group A, n = 30) and mothers of healthy children (Group B, n = 30). Diagnosis of CFC in children was established using the ROME IV criteria. Maternal psychological health was assessed using the Urdu-translated version of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Mean psychological quality of life (QOL) scores were compared between the groups using an independent t-test, with a significance threshold of p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of children was 7.83 ± 2.13 years, with 32 (53.3%) males and 28 (46.7%) females. The mean psychological QOL score of mothers in Group A was significantly lower (8.04 ± 2.40) compared to Group B (10.44 ± 2.50) (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Mothers of children with chronic functional constipation exhibited significantly poorer psychological health compared to mothers of healthy controls. This negative psychological impact may influence the management and outcomes of CFC in children, highlighting the need for holistic care approaches incorporating parental psychological support.

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