Atopic Dermatitis and Parental Guilt in the United States: Results of a Nationwide Study

ABSTRACT

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting up to 20% of children, significantly impacting their quality of life (1). While the burden on children is well documented, the emotional toll on parents, particularly feelings of guilt, remains underexplored (2, 3). Guilt is a recognized response among caregivers of children with chronic illnesses, often assessed as a component of parental stress (4), but its prevalence and determinants in atopic dermatitis (AD) remain poorly explored.
This study assesses parental guilt in a representative US sample of parents of children with AD.