Quality of life in chronically ill and psychologically disturbed children: First results using the children's quality of life scales (Inventar zur Erfassung der Lebensqualitat bei Kindern und Jugendlichen, ILK)

Objectives: The assessment of the quality of life in chronically ill children as well as in children with emotional and behavioural problems. Methods: A series of questionnaires (Inventar zur Erfassung der Lebensqualitat bei Kindern und Jugendlichen, ILK, Mattejat et al.) were administered to 360 patients and 288 mothers at the Vienna University Children's Hospital. Results: The results clearly show that patients with diabetes rate themselves as the most emotionally burdened and impaired in nearly all aspects of life: a picture which is confirmed by their mothers. Children and adolescents with psychological problems judge the initial problem as well as their social environment as significantly more burdensome. The respective mothers of these psychologically ill children feel that their impairments are greater in more aspects of life than do mothers of children who are chronically ill. The children generally pinpoint most of their difficulties in the areas "ability to occupy myself" and "psychological health". Among adolescents the most negative ratings occur in the areas "school", "psychological health", and "initial problem". Conclusions: The child's problems seem to weigh heavily upon the mothers. Interventions aimed at adolescents and mothers should be based on problem solving: supportive and anxiety-reducing approaches seem best suited for chronically ill children. Children with psychological problems primarily need problem-centred and practical support.