Parental psychological distress, somatic symptoms and neuroticism in paediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders: comparison with organic and healthy controls

Abstract Background Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common in childhood and represent a major clinical challenge in paediatric care. Within the biopsychosocial framework of FGIDs, parental factors are increasingly recognised as important influences on children’s symptom experience and illness behaviour. However, most studies have compared families of children with FGIDs only with healthy controls, leaving it unclear whether parental characteristics are FGID-specific or reflect the broader burden of caring for a child with chronic gastrointestinal disease. This study aimed to compare parental psychological distress, somatic symptoms and neuroticism among parents of children with FGIDs, organic gastrointestinal diseases and healthy controls. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 65 parents of children aged 2–12 years with FGIDs diagnosed according to Rome IV criteria were recruited at the University Children’s Hospital Basel (February 2024-February 2025). Control groups included parents of children with organic gastrointestinal diseases ( n = 62) and healthy children ( n = 90). Parents completed validated questionnaires assessing psychological distress (Patient Health Questionnaire-4), somatic symptoms (Somatic Symptom Scale-8), and neuroticism (Big Five Inventory-10). Group differences were examined using non-parametric tests and covariate-adjusted negative binomial regression models. Results Parents of children with FGIDs reported significantly higher psychological distress, somatic symptoms and neuroticism compared with both control groups (all p < 0.01). Adjusted regression analyses confirmed consistently lower scores in both control groups relative to the FGID group (incidence rate ratios range: 0.31–0.77). Screen-positive rates for parental anxiety and depression (PHQ-4 subscales) were highest in the FGID group (approximately 17% and 25%). After additional adjustment for psychological distress, differences in somatic symptom burden were attenuated. Conclusion Parents of children with FGIDs exhibit higher psychological distress, somatic symptoms, and neuroticism than parents of children with organic gastrointestinal disease and healthy children. These findings suggest a distinct pattern of parental psychosocial vulnerability that extends beyond general caregiving burden and highlight the importance of considering parental factors within family-centred approaches to paediatric FGIDs care.