Journal of Adolescent Health
Volume 31, Issue 4 , Pages 363-371, October 2002

Adolescent self-perceptions of adjustment to childhood arthritis: the influence of disease activity, family resources, and parent adjustment

  • Kathleen M Cuneo, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • From the Department of Psychology, Fordham University, New York, New YorkUSA
    • ,
  • Kathleen M Schiaffino, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • From the Department of Psychology, Fordham University, New York, New YorkUSA
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence to: Dr. Kathleen M. Schiaffino, Department of Psychology, Fordham University, 151 Prospect Street, Bronx, NY 10458USA

Accepted 9 August 2001.

Abstract 

Purpose: To examine the influence of illness parameters, adolescent support resources, and parental adjustment on the psychosocial adjustment of adolescents with arthritis.

Method: A sample of 57 adolescents with childhood arthritis, 50 of their mothers, and 40 of their fathers completed paper-and-pencil measures of: (a) perceptions of the severity of the adolescent’s illness, (b) social support and family functioning, and (c) adolescent depression and global self-worth. Participants were predominantly white and upper middle class. Data were analyzed using multiple regression strategies.

Results: Adolescent perceptions of family functioning and social support were significant predictors of both global self-worth and depression in regression analyses. Additionally, greater functional limitations because of arthritis were predictive of adolescent depression.

Conclusion: Family functioning was significantly associated with adolescent adjustment across different conceptulaizations and measures of adjustment.

Keywords:  Childhood arthritis, Family functioning, Illness severity, Parent adjustment, Social support

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PII: S1054-139X(01)00324-X

Journal of Adolescent Health
Volume 31, Issue 4 , Pages 363-371, October 2002

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