Associations with food allergy-related psychological distress in a global sample of adults, children and caregivers

Authors

S E. Purser, School of Psychology, Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
C J. Jones, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.
J L. Protudjer, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
L J. Herbert, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
C Screti, School of Psychology, Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
C Roleston, School of Psychology, Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
E Mattacola, School of Psychology, Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
H A. Brough, Children's Allergy Service, Evelina Children's Hospital, Guy's and St. Thomas's NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
C Warren, Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
L Polloni, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Food Allergy Referral Centre, Veneto Region, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy.
A F. Santos, Children's Allergy Service, Evelina Children's Hospital, Guy's and St. Thomas's NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
R Gupta, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
M J. Marchisotto, MJM Advisory, New York, New York, USA.
R C. Knibb, School of Psychology, Aston University, Birmingham, UK.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

6-1-2025

Journal

Clinical and translational allergy

Volume

15

Issue

6

DOI

10.1002/clt2.70071

Keywords

adults; caregivers; children; food allergy; psychological distress

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Food allergy (FA) impacts health-related quality of life and mental health. Understanding what variables are associated with psychological distress can help healthcare providers direct patients to appropriate support. As part of the study, Global Access to Psychological Services (GAPS) for FA and associations with FA-related psychological distress were explored in adults with FA and caregivers of children with FA. METHODS: Participants completed online surveys in seven languages. Participants reported the types of FA-related distress they or their child experienced, along with demographic and FA-related information. Associations with distress were analysed using regression models. RESULTS: N = 1329 adults with FA and N = 1373 caregivers of children with FA from 27 countries participated. Of the 21 different types of distress selected, anxiety about an allergic reaction was the most common (62.5% adults; 72.6% caregivers). Females reported significantly more types of distress than males (p < 0.001). There were significant differences between countries (all p < 0.05-0.001); participants in Australia, Brazil, Canada, and the United Kingdom consistently reported more types of distress than European countries or the United States. In regression models, country of residence, number of FAs, and symptoms were significantly associated with distress. Additional associations included adrenaline autoinjector (AAI) prescription, being female, anaphylaxis and comorbidities in adults; in caregivers having a younger child, longer time elapsed since FA diagnosis, being female, AAI prescription and anaphylaxis; and in children being older and living longer with FA. CONCLUSIONS: FA-related distress is experienced differently across countries. Understanding associations with types of distress can help direct healthcare services and psychological support to where it is needed most.

APA Citation

Purser, S E.; Jones, C J.; Protudjer, J L.; Herbert, L J.; Screti, C; Roleston, C; Mattacola, E; Brough, H A.; Warren, C; Polloni, L; Santos, A F.; Gupta, R; Marchisotto, M J.; and Knibb, R C., "Associations with food allergy-related psychological distress in a global sample of adults, children and caregivers" (2025). GW Authored Works. Paper 7486.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/7486

Department

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences