Psychological Functioning in Children With Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: Implications for Models of Psychobiological Interaction

Implications for psychobiological models of psychosomatic interaction relevant to the DSM-III diagnosis 316.00 (Psychological Factors Affecting Physical Condition) were drawn from a study of outpatient gastroenterology patients (ages 6 to 17) with Crohn's disease (CD) (N = 51) and ulcerative colitis (UC) (N = 37), and their siblings (N = 41 and N – 24, respectively). Reliable and valid measures were used to assess disease activity, severity, growth failure, social competence, psychological health and disorder, and psychological style. Both patient groups had statistically and clinically significant psychological dysfunction, and patients were characterized by internalizing psychological styles. The degree of illness and psychological dysfunction did not predict one another. However, internalizing psychological styles were associated with greater disease activity. CD and UC patients differed in relationships among psychological and disease factors, with UC patients more accurate in reporting physical and psychological functioning.