Investigating the relationship between maternal mental health and the rate of anxiety disorders in asthmatic children

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease and can put children at risk of psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. Moreover, maternal depression has a significant influence on children's health and well-being. This study aimed to investigate the effect of maternal mental health on the rate of anxiety disorders in children with asthma.

In a cross-sectional study, 163 dyads of asthmatic children, and their mothers referred to the Asthma and Allergy Clinic of the Taleghani Hospital in Gorgan in 2021, were enrolled. The Spence questionnaire was used to assess the degree of anxiety disorders in children. The mothers completed General Health Questinnaire-28. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 26.

Physical symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, and social dysfunction were diagnosed in 86 (52.8%), 79 (48.5%), and 90 (55.2%) mothers, respectively. In term of depression, 90 mothers (73%) had no depression. Anxiety disorders and obsession were observed in 95 (58.3%) and 70 (42.9%) children, respectively. However, 135 children (82.8%) indicated no social phobia. The frequency distribution of asthma severity was significantly different in anxiety symptoms, mental health, and maternal depression. However, there was no significant difference in gender and age group in children (P> 0.05). The frequency distribution of maternal mental health was significantly different from the rate of a childhood anxiety disorder (P< 0.001).

The rate of anxiety disorders in children with asthma and mental disorders in their mothers was high. Findings indicated that maternal mental health could affect the rate of anxiety disorders in children with asthma.