Parent-child relationship and family system characteristics in families of adolescents with multiple sclerosis

The incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) is increasing in all age groups, including children and adolescents. Due to the severity and clinical presentations of the disease in children, sociopsychological aspects, including parent-child relationships (PCR), is the focus of attention. Objective : to study of the characteristics of PCR in families of children with MS. Patients and methods : Ten families of MS adolescents (a study group), and 10 families of healthy adolescents (a control group) were examined. The exclusion criteria were depression in a child and intellectual incapacity. The Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale, a family sociogram, and the parenting relationship questionnaire were used to assess PCR. Results and discussion . The families of children with MS showed symptoms of mild or moderate depression in the mothers; a predominantly unbalanced type of the family structure; the needs of mothers and children to change the distance with all family members equally; low self-esteem of the child and parent; the desire of the latter to cooperate with the child. Conclusion . PCR in families of children with MS requires further investigations.