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. 2025 Sep;29(3):604-617.
doi: 10.1177/13674935241241350. Epub 2024 Mar 26.

Adolescent and caregiver perceptions of addressing mental health in inflammatory bowel disease

Catalina Berenblum Tobi  1 , Maihan Vu  2 , Maria E Díaz-González de Ferris  3 , Sherritta Semerzier  4 , Michael D Kappelman  5 , Neal A deJong  3
Affiliations

Adolescent and caregiver perceptions of addressing mental health in inflammatory bowel disease

Catalina Berenblum Tobi et al. J Child Health Care. 2025 Sep.

Abstract

Adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at an increased risk of anxiety and depression compared to peers, but availability of mental health services in IBD clinics does not meet patients' needs, and use of primary care services for mental health screening and care is low. This study provides qualitative data regarding adolescent and caregiver perspectives on addressing mental health in IBD. Interviews were conducted with adolescents with IBD and caregivers of adolescents with IBD. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed for prominent themes. Thirteen adolescents and fourteen caregivers were interviewed. Three primary themes emerged: mental health stigma makes discussing it more difficult, physician-adolescent trust makes conversations about mental health easier, and asking about mental health directly can help adolescents feel comfortable. Adolescents and caregivers highlighted the importance of considering each patient and their family individually when choosing how to discuss mental health. Fostering trust with adolescents with IBD is vital to addressing mental health. While encouraging standardized screening is important, the most patient-centered approach to mental health involves considering families individually to identify and address mental health challenges. Given the increased risk of anxiety and depression in pediatric patients with IBD, all providers encountering these patients should be equipped to discuss mental health non-judgmentally.

Keywords: Inflammatory bowel diseases; adolescent; mental health.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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