Is there a protective effect of normal to high intellectual function on mental health in children with chronic illness?

Abstract

BackgroundHigh intellectual function is considered as a protective factor for children's mental health. Few studies have investigated the effect of intellectual function on mental health in children with chronic illness (CI). The aim of the present study was twofold: First, we asked if normal to high intellectual function (IQ) has a protective effect on mental health in children with CI, and secondly, if this effect is more substantial than in their peers (NCI).MethodsThe participants were selected among children who participated in the Bergen Child Study (BCS): 96 children with CI (the CI-group) and 96 children without CI (the NCI-group). The groups were matched on intellectual function as measured by the WISC-III by selecting the same number of children from three levels of the Full Scale IQ Score (FSIQ): "very low" (<70),"low" (70 to 84), or "normal to high" (>84). CI was reported by parents as part of a diagnostic interview (Kiddie-SADS-PL) that also generated the mental health measures used in the present study: the presence of a DSM-IV psychiatric diagnosis and the score on the Children's Global Assessment Scale.ResultsThe risk of a psychiatric diagnosis was significantly lower for children with a normal to high FSIQ-level than for children with a very low and low FSIQ-level in the CI-group as well as in the NCI-group. The group differences were statistically non-significant for all three FSIQ-levels, and the effect of the interaction between the group-variable (CI/NCI) and the FSIQ-level was non-significant on both measures of mental health.ConclusionThe present study showed a protective effect of normal to high intellectual function on children's mental health. This protective effect was not more substantial in children with CI than in children without CI.

Is High IQ Protective Against Cognitive Dysfunction in Narcoleptic Patients?

“…However, no study has previously investigated whether intelligence plays the same role in narcolepsy patients. Nevertheless, one study found that narcolepsy patients with a high IQ exhibited significant cognitive impairment, which suggests that intelligence and cognitive impairment are independent 15. When we compared cognitive function and emotional state in patients with different IQ levels in narcoleptics, we found that the high-IQ group performed better in terms of cognitive function and felt less general depressive symptoms.…”

“…However, other studies have found contradictory results on this topic. For example, two studies found no difference between narcoleptics and normal controls in terms of visual attention, divided attention to a visual stimulus, and working memory 12,15. These conflicting results may be related to differences in the nature of cognitive tasks, and may be open to diverse interpretations.…”

“…Previous studies have suggested that intellectual function acts as a protective factor in terms of the recovery, adaptation, and psychological state of patients with psychiatric and neurological disorders 13-15. Although IQ in narcoleptics has been assessed previously using a computerized neurocognitive function tool and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (3rd edition),16,17 no previous study has investigated the effect of intelligence on cognitive functions in narcoleptics.…”

Delayed transplantation may affect intellectual ability in children

“…In addition to allograft function, cognitive and intellectual ability has become an important aspect of success for pediatric recipients. Moreover, high intellectual function, as reflected by childhood intelligence quotient (IQ), has recently been suggested as a protective factor for mental health in children with chronic illness …”

Cognitive Performance in Pediatric Liver Transplant Recipients

“…Importantly, childhood cognitive ability is highly predictive for educational achievement and later occupational outcomes (6) as well as health behavior (7). Furthermore, average to high intelligence is considered to be one of the most important resilience factors for mental health (8,9). Current research indicates that liver transplanted children are at higher risk for developing cognitive deficits compared to the age-matched normal population (10,11).…”