The psychosocial impact of childhood constipation on the children and family: A scoping review

Constipation is a common and complex health issue among children that negatively affects multiple domains of children's and families' lives. Emotional, psychological, and behavioural problems in children, as well as anxiety, distress and frustration in parents, are some of the reported effects. This manuscript presents a systematic scoping review synthesising current evidence on the psychosocial impact of childhood constipation on children and their families. This review was guided by Arksey and O'Malley's five-stage framework, updated by Levac, Colquhoun and O'Brien and the Joanna Briggs Institute. Five databases were systematically searched: PUBMED, CINAHL, ASSIA, PsycINFO and Google Scholar, which yielded 2836 records. Following a systematic screening process, 32 articles met the inclusion criteria. Results were analysed, discussed and presented using the PAGER framework. The four key patterns that emerged were the psychosocial impact of childhood constipation on children, their parents, and school and academic life, and parental factors associated with childhood constipation. Childhood constipation significantly impacts the quality of life for both children and their parents, as well as the school life and academic performance. Various parental factors are linked to a higher prevalence of constipation in children. Neglecting to assess and address psychosocial issues in children with constipation can prolong the condition and significantly reduce their overall quality of life, contributing to multimorbidity. Adopting a holistic approach to managing constipation in children and their families is essential for promoting overall well-being.