Examining health anxiety and associated constructs in children with cystic fibrosis

Abstract

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening genetic disorder affecting 105,000 people worldwide (Dickinson & Collaco, 2021; Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, n.d), caused by mutations in the CFTR protein that disrupt chloride ion transport, leading to ionic imbalances and mucus throughout major organ systems (Rowe et al., 2014). CF’s multisystemic impacts require intensive treatments, (Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, n.d.) and patients with the disorder demonstrate 2-3 times higher anxiety and depression symptoms than the general population (Quittner et al., 2014). Beyond anxiety and depression, few other mental health constructs have been examined in CF populations. Health anxiety – worries that one has a serious illness without evidence of an underlying health condition (Wright et al., 2016) – has been observed to be elevated in other health populations but has not been studied in CF. The current study explored health anxiety and related constructs in children with CF, compared to established rates in typically developing children. Ten participants aged 8-12 completed self-report measures of health anxiety, depression, state and trait anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, and intolerance of uncertainty. Study results demonstrated significantly higher levels of state and trait anxiety in children with CF compared to typically developing children, but no differences in health anxiety and other constructs. These results have mixed consistency with pre-existing literature, highlighting the need for future research with a larger sample size. Nevertheless, the study’s findings highlight the urgent need for early identification of mental health symptoms and implementation of tailored mental health intervention programs for children with CF.