Children With Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders: Family Functioning, Coping Strategies, and Behavioral Functioning

Abstract

Abstract This study examined the psychosocial functioning of children with primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDD), an underresearched chronic illness sample. Children with PIDD were compared to children with kidney disease and to a healthy comparison group. Participants were youth ages 8 to 21 years. Children and caregivers each completed measures on family functioning, behavioral adjustment, and coping strategies. Significant group differences were obtained for child report of family functioning. Regression results indicated that caregiver report of family roles and affective responsiveness, as well as child report of family communication, were significantly involved in predicting child behavioral functioning. Family functioning does appear to be related to child behavioral functioning in children with PIDD.