Psychological Interventions in Childhood Chronic Illness

Children and adolescents with chronic illnesses face extraordinary psychological stressors, which often occur alongside or because of burdensome medical treatment regimens. Illness-related pressure and worry plague family members as well. These children and families need psychological support to help them comply with doctors' orders and to cope with issues such as restricted physical activity, frequent absences from school, and social problems. This book is designed to advance scientific understanding of interventions that promote psychological adaptation and adherence to treatment for children and adolescents with chronic health conditions.

Throughout the book, key research findings concerning illness management, reducing non-compliance, and improving psychological outcomes are brought to light. The author lays out research priorities and discusses clinical applications that integrate research into practice. Psychologists who provide clinical care in paediatric settings will learn about new interventions that can be tailored to the individual needs of children and families coping with asthma, diabetes, cancer, sickle-cell anaemia, arthritis, and cystic fibrosis. Researchers will find guidance on the design, methodology, measurement, and ethics of testing interventions with children and families.

Table of Contents

Contributors

Acknowledgement

Dedication

Preface

PART I: OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH

1. Psychological Intervention Needs of Children and Adolescents with Chronic Illness and their Families
2. Theoretical Models and Framework for Psychological Intervention
3. Research Design Considerations for Psychological Interventions
4. Implementing Psychological Intervention Research in Pediatric Settings
5. Ethical Issues in Conducting Psychological Interventions

PART II: PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS WITH REPRESENTATIVE PEDIATRIC CHRONIC CONDITIONS: RESEARCH AND CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

6. Psychological Interventions: Asthma
7. Psychological Interventions: Diabetes
8. Psychological Interventions: Pediatric Cancer
9. Psychological Interventions: Sickle Cell Disease and Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
10. Psychological Interventions: Cystic Fibrosis

PART III: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESEARCH TO ENHANCE SCIENCE, PRACTICE, AND POLICY CONCERNING PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS

11. Recommendations to Enhance Science, Practice and Policy

References