Relationship of Behavioral Problems, Parenting Practice and School Life in Children with Atopic Dermatitis

Kim, Dong Hee; Cho, Sung eun; Yum, Hye Yung

Abstract

PURPOSE
To identify relationship of behavioral problems, parenting practice and school life in children with atopic dermatitis.
METHODS
The participants were parents of 102 school-aged children with atopic dermatitis. The instruments used were a self-reported questionnaire on K-CBCL, Childrearing Behavior Questionnaire, and measurements of relationship with friends and teachers. Descriptive, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses were performed.
RESULTS
There was no statistically significant relationship between behavior problems for gender, age, parent's age, parent's educational level, family structure, academic achievement, and duration and severity of illness. There were significant differences in internalizing (F=3.471, P<0.05) and externalizing problems (F=3.227, P<0.05) according to economic status. In bivariate analysis, rejection-nonintervention maternal parenting practice (r=0.293, P<0.05), the relationship with friends (r=-0.297, P<0.05) and the relationship with teachers (r=-0.252, P<0.05) were significantly correlated with internalizing problems and rejection-nonintervention maternal parenting practice (r=0.257, P<0.05), rejection-nonintervention paternal parenting practice (r=0.274, P< 0.05), the relationship with friends (r=-0.275, P<0.05) and the relationship with teachers (r= -0.263, P<0.05) were significantly correlated with externalizing problems. However, the results of multiple regression analysis showed that only the relationship with friends (beta=-1.412, P<0.05) was significantly associated with internalizing problems and rejection-nonintervention maternal parenting practice (beta=-0.458, P<0.05), the relationship with friends (beta=0.402, P<0.05) were significantly associated with externalizing problems.
CONCLUSION
School-aged children with atopic dermatitis who reported lower socioeconomic status, reported higher rejection-nonintervention parenting practice and had a poor relationship with friends and teachers showed higher internalizing and externalizing problems. A comprehensive intervention program for children with atopic dermatitis is recommended to promote the development of positive relationships with parents, friend and teachers.