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Peer influences in pediatric chronic illness: an update
1Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33124.
Insights
Peer relationships are crucial for children with chronic illnesses. Friends offer companionship and emotional support for diabetes management, aiding in disease adaptation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Adolescent Health
- Chronic Illness Management
Background:
- Limited research exists on peer relations for children with chronic illnesses.
- Previous reviews highlighted the need for more investigation into this area.
- Peer support is increasingly recognized as vital for chronic disease adjustment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To update the understanding of peer relations in chronic illness.
- To examine the role of friends and family in supporting adolescents with diabetes.
- To explore how social support influences disease adaptation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of peer relations in chronic illness.
- Analysis of data from an ongoing study on adolescent diabetes.
- Comparison of support provided by friends versus family members.
Main Results:
- Adolescents' friends primarily offered companionship support.
- Both friends and family provided emotional support for diabetes care.
- Specific types of emotional support differed between friends and family.
Conclusions:
- Peer relations play a significant and multifaceted role in how young people adapt to chronic diseases.
- Understanding these dynamics is essential for clinical interventions.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the impact of peer support.
Abstract:
Examined research on peer relations of children with chronic illness. In general, scant attention has been devoted to this topic. A recent review (La Greca, 1990) highlighted this oversight and suggested several avenues for further research and clinical endeavors. This paper updates the earlier review, and provides examples from current literature regarding the role of peer relations in adjustment to chronic disease. Data are presented from an ongoing investigation of the ways in which friends and family members provide support for adolescents with diabetes. Adolescents' friends were more oriented toward companionship support than were family members; both family and friends were reported to provide emotional support for diabetes care, although the types of emotional support varied. Findings are discussed in the context of the important and varied role that peers play in youngsters' disease adaptation.