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Family functioning, neurocognitive functioning, and behavior problems in children with sickle cell disease

R J Thompson1, F D Armstrong, W G Kronenberger

  • 1Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA. Bobt@acpub.Duke.Edu

Journal of Pediatric Psychology
|December 23, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Conflicted family functioning, not neurocognitive issues, significantly impacts behavior problems in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Improving family dynamics may aid adaptation to chronic illness.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Psychology
  • Child Neurology
  • Family Studies

Background:

  • Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) face significant challenges.
  • Understanding factors influencing behavior problems is crucial for effective interventions.
  • Previous research has explored neurocognitive and family influences separately.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the impact of neurocognitive and family functioning on behavior problems in children with SCD.
  • To assess the factor structure of the Family Environment Scale (FES) in African American families with children with SCD.

Main Methods:

  • A sample of 289 children with SCD was studied.
  • Neuropsychological evaluations and brain MRI were conducted.
  • Mothers completed the Child Behavior Checklist and Family Environment Scale.

Main Results:

  • Conflicted family functioning was a significant predictor of behavior problems, independent of child and maternal demographics.
  • Neurocognitive functioning did not significantly account for behavior problems.
  • The FES demonstrated a similar factor structure for families of children with SCD as in other populations.

Conclusions:

  • Family functioning is a key area for intervention to support adaptation in children with chronic illnesses like SCD.
  • Targeting family dynamics can potentially mitigate behavior problems in this population.
Abstract

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