Short stature in childhood and adolescence: psychopathology and family educational style

Abstract

Having short stature (stunting) during childhood or adolescence may be associated with increased clinical distress and depression. Factors such as parenting styles, gender, age, treatment, hospitalizations and height of the adolescent and parents may influence adjustment. The aim was to study personal and family variables that are associated with less clinical anxiety, depression and emotional distress. A total of 168 adolescents with TB aged 9-17 years (M=12.09; SD=2.07) participated, 60.10%. They were assessed using an ad hoc register, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Parental Styles Scale. Descriptive analyses, Student’s t-tests for independent samples, effect size calculation, Pearson correlations and hierarchical regressions were performed. Results showed that positive family styles and fewer hospitalizations were associated with fewer anxious and depressive symptoms. Girls and those who had been diagnosed with TB for a longer period of time showed greater communication with their family. Younger adolescents showed worse perception of parenting style. Age, medical treatment and height were not related to psychological adjustment. In the prediction of anxious and depressive symptoms and emotional distress, a greater number of hospitalizations and less promotion of autonomy and behavioural control were relevant. We highlight the importance of family variables in the adjustment of adolescents with TB.