Illness appraisals in paediatric patients and their parents: A short scale

Seven illness appraisals (situation and resource appraisals) were examined in paediatric patients with cancer, diabetes, or accidental injuries and their parents. It was hypothesized that situation appraisals but not resource appraisals would co-vary with the diagnosis and other medical variables. It was also expected that corresponding appraisals in children and their parents would be associated. 244 newly hospitalised paediatric patients (aged 6-16 years) with cancer, diabetes or an accidental injury were interviewed regarding illness appraisals. Corresponding parent illness appraisals were assessed by means of a questionnaire. Situation appraisals co-varied with medical diagnosis and other medical variables in both patients and their parents. There were also associations between corresponding parents’ appraisals and paediatric patients’ appraisals. Findings encourage measurement of distinct categories of illness appraisals.