Self-concept, Anxiety, Depression Scales and Behavior Estimation in Primary Nocturnal Enuresis

Nam, Sang Gan; Kang, Suk Ho; Oh, Mi Mi; Oh, Jae Sang; Moon, Du Geon; Kim, Je Jong; Han, Chang Su

Abstract

Purpose: Nocturnal enuresis has been regarded as one of the most prevalent problems of childhood. Nocturnal enuresis may lead to a distressing and perplexing problem for children, resulting in social withdrawal, guilty feelings, and a sense of loneliness. In this study, we investigated changes in self-awareness, anxiety, depression, and behavior estimation before and after treatment in children with primary nocturnal enuresis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Psychologic inventories were evaluated in 48 primary nocturnal enuretic patients who had been successfully treated for their nocturnal enuresis from April 2001 to March 2002. Before and after treatment, self-administered questionnaires, such as Kovac's Children's Depression Inventory, Piers-Harris Children Self-Concept scale, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children, were evaluated by the enuretics. Their parents were also evaluated by the Child Behavior Check list.
RESULTS
In Kovac's Children's Depression Inventory and Piers-Harris Children Self-Concept scale, there were no signs of psychologic abnormality before and after treatment of nocturnal enuresis in terms of self-awareness and depression. Compared with the pre-treatment scores, there was significant improvement in trait anxiety after treatment of nocturnal enuresis (p<0.05). In the Child Behavior Check list, the parents thought that enuresis did not lead to abnormal behavior in their children.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest no serious psychopathologic abnormalities before and after treatment of primary nocturnal enuresis. The enuretic patients may suffer from trait anxiety. Consequently, the successful treatment of nocturnal enuresis may alleviate a child's anxiety and prevent secondary psychopathologic abnormalities.