In this together: Parental experiences with internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for childhood functional abdominal pain disorders.

Abstract

The use of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) is gaining traction. It is shown to be effective for pediatric functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs), yet little is known about parents' experiences with this approach. Through nine interviews with 14 parents, we explored their experiences with receiving ICBT alongside their children. We developed two themes through reflexive thematic analysis: "Parental illness understanding," examining parents' understandings of their child's symptoms, and "Redefining various parental roles," describing how parents navigated and redefined their roles throughout treatment. Parents suspected a psychological component in their child's symptoms before ICBT, which shaped their perception of ICBT as meaningful. While navigating parental roles was demanding and emotionally taxing, involving feelings of guilt and doubt, parents described a shift from chaos to a more balanced life. To validate these experiences, we recommend integrating a relatable fictional case into parent programs to acknowledge parental emotions.