The Psychologi
The Psychological Problems
among Children Suffering from Chronic Diseases
Zeinab Fathy El-Sayed1 and
Asmaa Hafez Afefe Barakat2
1Pediatrics Nursing Department and Psychiatric 2Mental
Health Nursing Department, Faculty of nursing - Ain Shams University
Abstract: Aim: this study aims to assess
the psychological problems of children suffering from chronic diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional analytic design was used in
conduction of this study as a research methodology. The study was conducted at
inpatients and outpatients clinics of pediatrics hospital affiliated to Ain
Shams University hospital. Sample: A purposive sample involved
310 children suffering from chronic diseases namely asthma, diabetes mellitus,
renal failure, malignancy, epilepsy, and chronic heart diseases.Tools: Different
tools were used for data collection involved questionnaire sheets to assess
psychological problems, psychometric assessment (depression inventory, anxiety
scale, loneliness scale, self-esteem inventory). Results: The study
revealed that children with chronic illness are vulnerable to suffer from
psychological problems (anxiety, depression, loneliness and low self esteem). It
can be concluded that, chronic diseases have psychological
impact on the affected children. Anxiety, depression, loneliness and low self
esteem are common feelings experienced by children suffering from chronic
diseases.
[Zeinab Fathy El-Sayed
and Asmaa Hafez Afefe Barakat. The Psychological Problems among
Children Suffering from Chronic Diseases. Life Sci J 2013;10(1):1676-1683]
(ISSN: 1097-8135).http://www.lifesciencesite.com.
Key word: Stress, chronic diseases, asthma, epilepsy, diabetes mellitus, malignancy, chronic heart diseases.
