Effect of pro-social behaviour and conduct problems on the relationship between limiting longstanding illness and negative emotional symptoms in children

Published date17 December 2018
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/JPMH-08-2016-0038
Date17 December 2018
Pages176-183
AuthorAndrine N. van Woerden
Subject MatterHealth & social care,Mental health,Public mental health
Effect of pro-social behaviour and conduct
problems on the relationship between
limiting longstanding illness and negative
emotional symptoms in children
Andrine N. van Woerden
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore direct and moderating effects of pro-social behaviour
and conduct problems on the link between limiting longstanding illness (LL-I) and negative emotional
symptoms in children.
Design/methodology/approach The Welsh Health Survey variables: LL-I, emotional symptoms, conduct
problems, pro-social behaviour, gender, age and socio-economic status were entered into regression
models to assess the relationships outlined above. Cross-sectional data from several years were combined.
Findings In the cohort of 627 children aged 412 years who had LL-I, 601 (95.9 per cent) had complete
data for analysis. Children with LL-I scored a mean of 1.8 points higher on negative emotional symptoms than
children without LL-I, with LL-I accounting for 6 per cent of the variance in emotional symptoms in a
regression model. In children with LL-I, highly pro-social children had lower levels of negative emotional
symptoms compared to those with low pro-social levels (1.1 points on emotional symptoms scale,
95% CI ¼0.551.70; p o0.001).In children with LL-I, high levels of conduct problems were associated with
increased negative emotional symptoms compared to those with low levels of conduct disorder (2.1 points
on emotional symptoms scale, 95% CI¼1.32.5; p o0.001).
Research limitations/implications Potential improvements include a longitudinal design, and use of
multi-informant Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire scores.
Practical implications Assessment of children with LL-I could usefully include pro-social behaviours.
Social implications National policy could consider the value of promoting pro-social responses.
Originality/value Emotional symptoms in children with LL-I are associated with pro-social behaviour and
conduct problems, primarily as a direct effect. Pro-social interventions could promote emotional wellbeing in
children with LL-I.
Keywords Children, Pro-social behaviour, Conduct problems, Emotional symptoms,
Limiting longstanding illness, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
The 2013 Welsh Health Survey (WHS) identified 7 per cent of children as having a limiting
longstanding illness(LL-I), defined as, health problem or disability that limits daily activities
(Welsh Government, 2014). LL-l can have consequences that last into adulthood, particularly in
relation to emotional wellbeing (Western Health and Social Care Trust, 2012).
Negative emotional symptoms are present in 8 per cent of 510 year olds, 12 per cent of
1116 year olds (Mental Health Division Department of Health, 2010), and are more common in
girls. A meta-analysis concluded that chronically ill children were at slightly elevated risk of
psychosocial distress(Barlow and Ellard, 2006). However, no studies were identified that
examined the relationship between chronic illness and emotional wellbeing using the definition of
Received 5 February 2018
Revised 7 July 2018
Accepted 14 September 2018
This research did not receive any
external sources of funding. The
author is grateful for support from
supervisors and statistical staff in
Cardiff University and for support
from family members.
Andrine N. van Woerden is
based at Cardiff University,
Cardiff,UK; and is at Princessof
Wales Hospital, Bridgend, UK.
PAGE176
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JOURNAL OF PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH
j
VOL. 17 NO. 4 2018, pp. 176-183, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1746-5729 DOI 10.1108/JPMH-08-2016-0038

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