Psychosocial distress and functioning of Greek youth with cystic fibrosis: a cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
To assess psychosocial functioning and distress of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis compared to healthy controls.


METHODS
Thirty-six patients with cystic fibrosis aged 8-18 years (24 boys, mean age ± SD: 11.5 ± 2.6 years) and 31 sex- and age-matched healthy control subjects (18 boys, mean age ± SD: 12 ± 2.5 years) were enrolled in the study. In order to assess the self-esteem, social adjustment, and family functioning of these young people, the Culture-free Self-esteem Inventory, the Social Adjustment Scale-Self-Report, and the Family Assessment Device were administered. Emotional/ behavioral problems were assessed through the Youth Self Report and the Child Behavior Checklist given to both the subjects and their parents.


RESULTS
No significant differences were found for self-esteem between the two study groups. Regarding social adjustment, children with cystic fibrosis reported significantly worse friendship and overall adjustment (P < 0.05). Moreover, no difference was found in the levels of family functioning between the two groups. No significant differences between the groups were found in emotional/ behavioral problems from the self-reports. On the contrary, parents of children with cystic fibrosis reported significantly higher levels of withdrawal/ depression, thought problems, and delinquent behavior (P ≤ 0.01) as compared to controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis appear to be a psychosocially vulnerable group. A biopsychosocial approach should emphasize the assessment and treatment of the psychosocial distress of these patients alongside multiple somatic treatments.
['Kostakou|Konstantina|K|', 'Giannakopoulos|George|G|', 'Diareme|Stavroula|S|', 'Tzavara|Chara|C|', 'Doudounakis|Stavros|S|', 'Christogiorgos|Stelios|S|', 'Bakoula|Chryssa|C|', 'Kolaitis|Gerasimos|G|']
Cystic fibrosis Children and adolescents Self-esteem Social adjustment Family functioning Psychopathology