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Published on: April 24, 2014
The working alliance in pediatric chronic disease management: a pilot study of instrument reliability and feasibility
Beth Ely1, Leslie B Alexander, Monica Reed
1St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadellphia, PA 19134, USA. eae24@drexel.edu
Insights
This pilot study found that the Working Alliance Inventories for Chronic Care are reliable, relevant, and feasible for assessing therapeutic alliances in pediatric hematology patients. The adapted scales are understandable for children aged 9+, parents, and healthcare providers.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Pediatric Hematology
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- The therapeutic alliance is crucial in psychotherapy.
- Adapting alliance measures for pediatric chronic conditions is needed.
- Existing tools may not suit young patients or their families.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the reliability, relevance, and feasibility of child and adult versions of the Working Alliance Inventory.
- To adapt these scales for managing chronic childhood hematologic disorders.
- To evaluate the Working Alliance Inventories for Chronic Care (WAICC).
Main Methods:
- Pilot study involving 34 children, 13 adolescents, 43 parents/guardians, and 4 healthcare providers.
- Utilized adapted versions of the Working Alliance Inventory.
- Assessed internal consistencies and retest reliabilities.
- Evaluated feasibility and understandability across participant groups.
Main Results:
- The WAICC demonstrated strong internal consistencies for all versions.
- Retest reliabilities were generally acceptable.
- Instruments were feasible and understandable for children (9+), parents, and healthcare professionals.
Conclusions:
- The WAICC is a promising set of instruments for assessing therapeutic alliances in pediatric chronic care.
- Further research is recommended to validate and utilize these alliance measures.
- The findings support the use of WAICC in managing chronic childhood hematologic disorders.
Abstract:
Findings are presented from a pilot study to determine the reliability, relevance, and feasibility of child and adult versions of the Working Alliance Inventory, adapted from psychotherapy research for use in the management of chronic childhood hematologic disorders. Thirty-four children, 13 adolescents, 43 parent/guardians, and 4 health-care providers participated. The adapted scales, called the Working Alliance Inventories for Chronic Care, had strong internal consistencies for all versions; retest reliabilities were generally acceptable. The instruments were feasible to use and understandable for children 9 years and older, parent/guardians, and health-care professionals. Recommendations for additional research, using this promising group of alliance instruments, are provided.
