Journal of Pediatric Psychology · 1992 · 60 citations · 0 references
Social SciencesChild HealthChild DevelopmentFamily AssessmentHealth PsychologyChronic DiseaseChronic Health ConditionsChronic Illness AdjustmentParent-child InteractionParent-child RelationshipsSex Differences In HealthChild Peer RelationsChildren With Chronic IllnessGender Differences In HealthParent-child Relationship Adjustment
Investigated age and gender differences in adjustment to chronic disease in children suffering from one of five conditions: diabetes, asthma, cardiac disease, epilepsy, and leukemia. Ratings of adjustment and disease-related restrictions were obtained separately from mothers and fathers. Factor analysis of the adjustment scale yielded 6 subscales which differentiated between children in terms of age and disease type, and to a lesser extent, gender. Mothers' and fathers' ratings of adjustment and restrictions were comparable, though fathers made less differentiation on the basis of disease or age. For both parents, perceived restrictions of the disease were associated with poorer adjustment in the child, and this was particularly reflected on indices of peer relations and work.