The psychosocial impact of encopresis on children and their families
Description
The purpose of this study was to examine the psychosocial characteristics of children with encopresis and their families. Thirty children with encopresis and thirty-three children without encopresis and their families served as the subjects. As was predicted, children with encopresis demonstrated more behavior problems than controls on the Child Behavior Checklist; however, their reported behavior problems did not consistently reach the level of clinical significance. Younger encopretic children (preschool through second grade) viewed themselves as less competent than their peers on the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence, particularly in the areas of cognitive and physical competence. However, contrary to expectations, older encopretic children did not differ from controls in perceived competence on the Self-Perception Profile for Children. Indices of family functioning as assessed by the Family Environment Scale were similar for families with and without encopretic children. Severity and duration of encopresis were not as strongly associated with the children's psychosocial functioning as expected. Children who had experienced encopresis longer or who had more severe symptoms did not consistently have more behavior problems or suffer from lowered perceived competence. Several family functioning factors were related to positive attributes in the encopretic children. Families who reported less conflict, more cohesion, and increased encouragement of independence had children who were viewed as being more competent. It appears that healthy family functioning may help buffer the encopretic children from the possible negative psychosocial effects of encopresis. This study provides an important, systematic description of encopretic children and their families, and future directions for research are discussed