Anxiety Level of Mothers of Children Aged Under Four with Functional Constipation

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between functional constipation in young children and their mothers’ symptoms of anxiety, with an assessment of demographic characteristics. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients aged <4 years with constipation diagnosed based on the Rome IV criteria and 45 healthy children aged <4 presented for follow-up visits between January 2021 and May 2021, and their mothers were included in the study. The mothers were interviewed in a face-to-face meeting and completed a sociodemographic data form, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results: The number of children in the patient group whose mothers had a primary or secondary education level was significantly higher when compared with the control group (p=0.017). The patient group also had a larger number of mothers who did not work outside the home and were the primary caregiver (p<0.001; p<0.001). The mothers of the patient group had significantly higher scores on all of the assessments (Beck Anxiety Inventory, State Anxiety Inventory, and Trait Anxiety Inventory) (p<0.001; p=0.004; p=0.004). Conclusion: The anxiety of the mother may influence the development of constipation in children, and constipation may also increase the mother’s anxiety. Incorporating psychosocial support for the family might be helpful in the treatment of functional constipation in young children.