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. 1999 Jun;24(3):271-80.
doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/24.3.271.

Functional disability in adolescents and young adults with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome: the role of academic, social, and athletic competence

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Functional disability in adolescents and young adults with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome: the role of academic, social, and athletic competence

R L Claar et al. J Pediatr Psychol. 1999 Jun.

Abstract

Objective: To examine perceived academic, social, and athletic competence as potential moderators of the relation between symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional disability in adolescents and young adults with a history of recurrent abdominal pain (RAP).

Methods: We assessed IBS symptoms, competence, and disability by telephone interview in RAP patients five years following their medical evaluation.

Results: For both male and female subjects, the relation between symptoms and disability was stronger at lower levels of perceived academic competence. Furthermore, among females, the relation between symptoms and disability was stronger at lower levels of perceived social competence; among males, the relation was stronger at lower levels of perceived athletic competence.

Conclusions: Perceived competence moderated the relation between IBS symptoms and functional disability. Interventions designed to enhance patient competence in various roles may be useful in reducing disability among adolescents and young adults with symptoms of IBS.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Estimated regression lines showing predicted Functional Disability Inventory (FDI) scores for subjects with low (−1 SD) and high (+1 SD) levels of academic competence on the Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents (SPPA). Graphed lines were plotted by selecting values one standard deviation above and below the mean for academic competence and IBS symptoms; these values were multiplied by their unstandardized regression coefficients to obtain values for plotting the predicted regression lines.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Estimated regression lines showing predicted Functional Disability Inventory (FDI) scores for subjects with low (−1 SD) and high (+1 SD) levels of social competence on the Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents (SPPA). For males and females separately, graphed lines were plotted by selecting values one standard deviation above and below die mean for social competence and IBS symptoms; these values were multiplied by their unstandardized regression coefficients to obtain values for plotting the predicted regression lines.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Estimated regression lines showing predicted Functional Disability Inventory (FDI) scores for subjects with low (−1 SD) and high (+1 SD) levels of athletic competence on the Self-Percept ion Profile for Adolescents (SPPA). For males and females separately, graphed lines were plotted by selecting values one standard deviation above and below the mean for athletic competence and IBS symptoms; these values were multiplied by their unstandardized regression coefficients to obtain values for plotting the predicted regression lines.

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