Research has found that children with atopic eczema are more likely to experience
psychosocial difficulties than would be expected within the general population. This
article aims to explore the relationship between child, parent and family factors in
promoting positive adjustment to atopic eczema. Children aged five to 11 years with
atopic eczema and their parents were identified from a specialist
children's dermatology clinic. Seventy-four respondents completed
questionnaires assessing child behaviour, parental well-being and family
functioning. Parental psychological health, a supportive family environment and low
impact of atopic eczema on family functioning were found to predict lower levels of
internalizing behaviour (anxiety, depression and social withdrawal). These findings
emphasize the importance of family and parental psychological processes rather than
biomedical variables in promoting positive adjustment to atopic eczema.
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