A comparative study among adolescents with cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia and their caregivers: psychological aspects

This work aimed to conduct a comparative study between cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia among adolescents and their caregivers to understand their emotional adaptation to the disease. Thirty-nine dyads of adolescents aged 9-18 years and their primary caregivers were assessed, 69.20 % of whom had a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. For the adolescents, anxious -depressive symptomatology was assessed using the HADS, perceived threat of disease (B-IPQ) and quality of life (CRQ-SAS). For the caregivers, emotional symptomatology (HADS) and perceived stress levels (PIP) were assessed. Mean comparisons were made according to diagnosis and severity of anxious -depressive symptomatology, relationships between variables were studied, and qualitative comparative analysis models, QCA, were performed. Higher levels of anxiety and depression were found in the caregiver than in the adolescent. Adolescents with primary ciliary dyskinesia have a more significant emotional impact than adolescents with cystic fibrosis. However, no differences were found in caregivers according to diagnosis. The adolescent's emotional state, quality of life and perceived threat of disease were related to and explained by the caregiver's emotional state, and vice versa. Therefore, there appears to be a certain degree of emotional contagion between the dyad members. This is a preliminary study that has not been carried out before and can help to understand the psychological aspects associated with these diseases to favour the patient's adjustment and thereby ensure more effective management of the disease and adherence to treatment.