Children, young people and coeliac disease

This volume comprises a review of the literature about children and young people with Coeliac Disease, a common autoimmune disease characterised by an immune response to the protein gluten, found in wheat, barley and rye. It also comprises a qualitative research paper detailing interviews with young people that aimed to tap their lived experiences of the disease. The final part this volume comprise a public domain briefing paper summarising both the literature review and research paper. The literature review considers the evidence for problems with adherence to treatment (a lifelong diet free from gluten) for young people with Coeliac Disease as well as psychological effects of having the disease in childhood. Studies of parental views were also included. The results suggested that there is some element of psychological distress associated with having CD in childhood, and that adherence to the treatment appears to be influenced by age and gender. Studies of parents’ views about their child’s Coeliac Disease suggested that parents’ belief in their ability to manage the disease is important to how young children adhere to treatment. The research project describes how 5 children and young people were recruited and interviewed about their experiences of living with Coeliac Disease. The resulting data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and two themes were subsequently identified. These themes related to identity as a young person with Coeliac Disease and to perceptions about food.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

d_cp

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

d_cp

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Birmingham

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Theodosi, Eleni

• BF Psychology
• RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine