The potential benefits of camps for children and adolescents with celiac disease on social support, illness acceptance, and health-related quality of life

Abstract

Among N = 165 14-22-year-old bearers of celiac disease (CD), the German-based study examined if participation in camps for children with CD is related to higher CD-related quality of life (CD-QoL); N = 48 of the study participants attended at least one camp. Camp participation was found to be related to higher CD-QoL, an effect mediated by having more friends with CD and by perceiving higher social support. Camp participation was also associated with higher illness acceptance and lower anxiety. Results show the potential benefits of recreational activities in CD treatment, to be further examined in experimental research.