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Brief report: adjustment to juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: a family systems perspective
Vicki S Helgeson1, Denise Janicki, Jennifer Lerner
1Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. vh2e@andrew.cmu.edu
Insights
Family environment significantly impacts juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) adjustment. Positive family cohesion aids adjustment, while conflict hinders it, with effects varying by child
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Child Psychology
- Family Systems Theory
Background:
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) presents unique challenges for pediatric patients.
- Understanding psychosocial factors influencing JRA adjustment is crucial for comprehensive care.
- The family environment is a key contextual factor in pediatric chronic illness adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between family environment characteristics and adjustment in children with JRA.
- To explore how child sex and age moderate the relationship between family environment and JRA adjustment.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 94 children diagnosed with JRA completed self-report questionnaires.
- Assessment included measures of perceived family environment (cohesion, conflict, autonomy) and adjustment to JRA.
- Statistical analyses examined the direct and moderated effects of family environment on adjustment.
Main Results:
- Higher family cohesion was significantly correlated with better adjustment to JRA.
- Increased family conflict was associated with poorer adjustment outcomes.
- The influence of family cohesion on adjustment was more pronounced in younger children.
- The impact of child autonomy on adjustment varied based on the child's sex and age.
Conclusions:
- Family environment plays a significant role in pediatric patients' adjustment to JRA.
- The specific aspects of the family environment (cohesion, conflict, autonomy) differentially affect adjustment.
- Child's developmental stage (age) and sex are critical moderators influencing how the family environment impacts JRA adjustment.
Objective:
To examine the relations of the family environment to adjustment to juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), and to examine how those relations are influenced by child sex and age.
Method:
Ninety-four children with JRA completed a questionnaire on family environment and adjustment.
Results:
Family cohesion was related to good adjustment, whereas family conflict was related to poor adjustment. Some relations of family cohesion to adjustment were stronger for younger than for older children. The relations of child autonomy to adjustment depended on child sex and age.
Conclusion:
The relations of the family environment to adjustment to JRA are dependent on child sex and age.