State and trait anxiety in children with incontinence and their parents

Background Maternal anxiety increases the risk for incontinence in children. The aim was to analyze anxiety in children with incontinence and their parents before (t1) and after 6 months of incontinence treatment (t2). Methods 40 children with incontinence and 40 controls completed the State-trait Anxiety Inventory for Children, their parents the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the State-trait Anxiety Inventory at baseline (t1) and 6 months later (follow-up, t2). Psychiatric disorders were assessed by a standardized parental diagnostic interview (Kinder-DIPS), IQ was tested by a one-dimensional test. All children were neurologically examined. Children with incontinence underwent a guideline-based treatment during the 6 months. Results At baseline, child and parental state and trait anxiety scores, as well as all CBCL scores were significantly higher in the patient group compared to the control group. At t2, parental anxiety, CBCL scores, and child trait anxiety were significantly higher in patients versus controls, whereas child state anxiety decreased, and parental state anxiety increased from t1 to t2. Conclusions Incontinence and anxiety are associated. While state anxiety decreases, trait anxiety can remain stable over time. Higher levels of anxiety can influence incontinence treatment and should be assessed in every patient.