Maladaptive Coping and Depressive Symptoms Partially Explain the Association Between Family Stress and Pain-Related Distress in Youth With IBD

Abstract Objective To extend existing research on the pain burden experienced by youth with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by examining the complexity of psychosocial factors involved in pain-related distress. Methods Parents completed measures of family stress and their child’s pain-related expressions of distress and coping. Youth with IBD rated their depressive symptoms (n = 183 dyads). Mediation analyses were performed using regression-based techniques and bootstrapping. Results Greater family stress was positively related to children’s pain-related expressions of distress and passive coping. Significant indirect effects were found in the relationship between family stress and expressed pain-related distress through parent-reported passive coping, depressive symptoms, and both passive coping and depressive symptoms sequentially. Conclusions Results suggest that family stress can place children at risk for greater expressed pain-related distress through effects on coping and depressive symptoms. Addressing psychosocial difficulties is important for closing the gap between disability and health in youth with IBD.