A Scoping Review to Understand the Associations Between Atopic Dermatitis and Parent-Child Relationships.

INTRODUCTION

This scoping review examined the relationship between children with a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis (AD) and the effect on the parent-child relationship to better understand these associations and identify gaps for future research.

METHOD: Searches were conducted on three databases for articles related to parent-child relationship quality among children (aged ≤ 18 years) with AD. Peer-reviewed primary research articles were eligible. Information from the final sample was charted in tables.

RESULTS

Fourteen articles were included. Results failed to provide consistent evidence that parents with children with AD significantly differ in parenting quality from caregivers of healthy children. However, parents of children with more severe AD may employ less effective caregiving relative to parents managing milder forms of the condition.

DISCUSSION: Findings point to a potential relationship between AD severity and parenting quality; however, more research is needed to determine the replicability of this finding and the direction of the effects.