Psychological support for children and young people with coeliac disease 

Dr Rose-Marie Satherley is a lecturer in clinical psychology at the University of Surrey. She has previously designed psychoeducation, screening tools and integrated healthcare interventions surrounding young people’s health and disordered eating behaviours.  

She explains: 

“Life is full of ups and downs, especially when a gluten free diet is involved. Children experience coeliac disease in different ways, no two children are the same, but every child can find useful tools to help them follow a gluten free diet and live well with coeliac disease. These “tools” include the child’s experiences, their medical team, friends, family, and a range of psychological tools. This research will work with children and their families to find the best psychological tools that can support gluten free diet management and wellbeing at the same time.” 

Although awareness of coeliac disease is increasing, many children and young people still struggle with the psychological and social impact of coeliac disease. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines ensure that families are given information about the gluten free diet but there are currently no tools or resources available to support their psychological wellbeing and adjustment to the diet.  

What does this project aim to achieve?

This project aims to adapt psychological tools that are available for supporting those with other gut disorders or food allergies, to be useful for families living with coeliac disease. It will evaluate whether these tools help improve the psychological wellbeing of the child or young person and their families. If the tools are found to be useful, they may be used in clinical practice in the future.  

Project Title: Psychological resources to meet the needs of children and young people with coeliac disease 

Awarded February 2023  

Research project commences in Autumn 2023 

Duration: 12 months 

Total Grant Awarded: £30K