Double Jeopardy: Youth with Chronic Physical Conditions Have Higher Mental Health Risk

chanakyakripa

Children with chronic physical conditions (CPCs) such as asthma, migraines, and diabetes are known to be at higher risk for chronic mental health disorders. However, most prior studies were cross-sectional and thus unable to examine how mental health problems emerge over time or explain the mechanisms underlying this association. To address these limitations, researchers analyzed longitudinal data from over 48,000 children and young adults aged 6-25 years participating in a nationally representative study. Participants had no mental health conditions at baseline and were followed for 2 years. Parents and adult children were sequentially interviewed about medical and mental health problems in the family. Youth with CPCs had a 51% higher risk for developing any chronic mental health condition (11.5%) compared with youth without CPCs (7.1%). This risk was higher in older age groups (12-18 and 19-25 vs. 6-11 years). Fourteen percent of the risk for mental health problems was explained by activity limitations, such as difficulties participating in school or social events. by: Jenny Radesky, MDreviewing Adams JS et al. Pediatrics 2019 Jun 14 Link: https://www.jwatch.org/na49342/2019/06/18/double-jeopardy-youth-with-chronic-physical-conditions?query=etoc_jwpeds&jwd=000013260742&jspc=MPD

COMMENT Optimizing the management of chronic physical conditions such as asthma and migraines may help improve long-term mental health by allowing children to engage more in school, family, and recreational activities and social life. The fact that risk for mental health conditions rose in adolescence means that early childhood is an important stage for prevention interventions - specifically, addressing school absenteeism, promoting sports inclusion, and advising therapy for maladaptive parent-child interaction patterns.