Journal of Pediatric Psychology Advance Access originally published online on October 27, 2006
Journal of Pediatric Psychology 2007 32(5):605-616; doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsl039
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Psychological Problems in Children with Bedwetting and Combined (day and night) Wetting: A UK Population-Based Study
1Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol, 2Department of Community Based Medicine, University of Bristol, and 3Clinical Psychology Department, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services, East Leeds Primary Care Trust, UK
All Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Carol Joinson PhD, Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, Department of Social Medicine, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ , UK. E-mail: Carol.Joinson{at}bristol.ac.uk
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Objective To investigate the psychological problems associated with bedwetting and combined (day and night) wetting in children aged around 7
years. Methods Participants were a cohort of over 8000 children enrolled in the population-based Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Parents completed postal questionnaires assessing common childhood psychological problems, and children were asked about behavior, friendships, bullying, and self-esteem in clinical interviews. The rates of psychological problems were compared in children with bedwetting, combined wetting, and in children with no wetting problems. Results The study found a higher rate of parent-reported psychological problems in children with bedwetting and combined wetting compared with those with no wetting problems. Children with combined wetting were particularly at risk for externalizing problems. There was little difference with the child-reported measures. Conclusions Bedwetting and combined wetting are associated with parent-reported psychological problems and combined wetting confers an increased risk for externalizing problems.
Key words: bedwetting; behavior; daytime wetting; enuresis; psychological problems.
Received January 5, 2006; revision received April 28, 2006; revision received October 2, 2006; accepted October 3, 2006