scholarly journals Parental Psychosocial Distress in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease and Chronic Pain

Author(s):  
Soumitri Sil ◽  
Kerri E Woodward ◽  
Yelena L Johnson ◽  
Carlton Dampier ◽  
Lindsey L Cohen

Abstract Background Pediatric sickle cell disease (SCD) management can result in considerable caregiver distress. Parents of youth with chronic SCD pain may face the additional challenge of managing children’s chronic pain and chronic illness. This study examined associations between parent psychological distress and child functioning and the moderating role of chronic pain among youth with SCD. Methods Youth presenting to pediatric outpatient comprehensive SCD clinics and their primary caregivers completed a battery of questionnaires. Parents reported on parenting stress, parent mental and physical health, and family functioning. Children completed measures of pain characteristics, depressive symptoms, catastrophic thinking, functional disability, and quality of life. Results Patients (N = 73, Mage = 14.2 years, 57% female) and their caregivers (Mage = 41.1 years, 88% mothers, 88% Black) participated. Worse parent functioning was associated with worse child pain, functioning, quality of life, and depressive symptoms. Beyond the effects of SCD, chronic SCD pain magnified the negative associations between parenting stress frequency and child quality of life, parent physical health and child quality of life, and parent depressive symptoms and child depressive symptoms. Conclusions Chronic pain may exacerbate the relations between parent and child functioning beyond the effects of SCD alone. The management of both SCD and chronic pain may present additional challenges for parents that limit their psychosocial functioning. Family-focused interventions to support parents and youth with chronic SCD pain are warranted to optimize health outcomes.

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (8) ◽  
pp. 858-866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ifigenia Mougianis ◽  
Lindsey L Cohen ◽  
Sarah Martin ◽  
Caitlin Shneider ◽  
Meredith Bishop

Abstract Introductions Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most commonly inherited blood disorder in the United States, and it predominately affects the Black community. SCD is characterized by a number of symptoms, including unpredictable pain, which can lead to hospitalizations. Data indicate that people with SCD experience racism and ample data indicate that racism predicts depressive symptoms and impaired health-related quality of life (HRQOL). In contrast, research suggests that social support might buffer the impact of racism on depression. The aim of this study was to explore associations among perceived racism, depressive symptoms, and HRQOL in adolescents with SCD. Consistent with the literature, it was predicted that perceived racism would predict HRQOL through depression, and social support would moderate the negative impact of racism on depression. Methods In a cross-sectional design, 75 inpatient adolescents with SCD completed measures of perceived racism, depressive symptoms, HRQOL, and social support. Results This results indicated a moderated mediation model with greater perceived racism predicting more depressive symptoms, which in turn related to poorer HRQOL; greater access to social support from individuals with SCD strengthened the perceived racism—depressive symptom association. Conclusions Findings suggest a model for how racism, depressive symptoms, HRQOL, and social support might interact in hospitalized adolescents with SCD. Longitudinal or experimental designs are needed to substantiate directionality among these variables. Results highlight several areas for future research and clinical avenues to improve the welfare of youth with SCD.


Over recent decades, tremendous advances in the prevention, medical treatment, and quality of life issues in children and adolescents surviving cancer have spawned a host of research on pediatric psychosocial oncology. This important volume fulfills the clear need for an up-to-date, comprehensive handbook for practitioners that delineates the most recent research in the field--the first of its kind in over a decade. Over 60 renowned authors have been assembled to provide a thorough presentation of the state-of-the art research and literature, with topics including: -Neuropsychological effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy -Bone marrow transplantation -Important issues about quality of life during and following treatment -Collaborative research among child-focused psychologists -Standards of psychological care for children and adolescents -Stress and coping in the pediatric cancer experience -The role of family and peer relationships The Comprehensive Handbook of Childhood Cancer and Sickle Cell Disease represents both multidisciplinary and international efforts, an alliance between physicians and parents, and a combination of research and service. With a wealth of information of great interest to patients and their families, this volume will also be a welcome resource to the psychologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians, oncologists, nurses, and social workers who confront these issues as they help children and their families through the treatment, recovery, and grieving processes.


2021 ◽  
pp. 101107
Author(s):  
Rachel Bartlett ◽  
Zachary Ramsay ◽  
Amza Ali ◽  
Justin Grant ◽  
Angela Rankine-Mullings ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 147 (12) ◽  
pp. 531-536
Author(s):  
Elena Cela ◽  
Ana G. Vélez ◽  
Alejandra Aguado ◽  
Gabriela Medín ◽  
José M. Bellón ◽  
...  

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