Mothers of children with inflammatory bowel disease: a controlled study of adult attachment classifications and patterns of psychopathology.

We inquire into parental correlates of illness expression in three pediatric diagnoses: Inflammatory Bowel Disease, cancer and renal disease. Children with cancer and renal disease were the comparison groups, using valid pediatric measures for comparison across diagnostic categories in chronic illness. We found compromised parental support in families with IBD children, comparing relations among child's medical adjustment, parental attachment and psychopathology profiles. Higher rates of insecure attachment are found in mothers of children with IBD; these mothers exhibit increased psychiatric symptoms. The results emphasize: 1) supporting the parent-child relationship, 2) parental well-being, and 3) possible precipitants of gene regulated onset of IBD contributing to illness severity and course. We offer a theoretical model considering four factors for IBD gene regulated onset. This preliminary study should encourage longitudinal studies of attachment in chronic illness, particularly IBD.