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Positive effects of a psycho-educational group intervention for children with a chronic disease: first results
Bob F Last1, Heleen Stam, Anne-Martine Onland-van Nieuwenhuizen
1Psychosocial Department, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. b.f.last@amc.uva.nl
Insights
This study shows that a psycho-educational group intervention significantly improves behavioral-emotional outcomes and coping skills in chronically ill children. The program, Op Koers (OK), offers a beneficial approach for managing chronic health conditions in pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Child Health Interventions
- Behavioral Health
Background:
- Chronic illnesses pose significant challenges to children's well-being, impacting their emotional and social development.
- Effective interventions are crucial to support children in coping with long-term health conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a psycho-educational group intervention for chronically ill children.
- To assess the impact of the Op Koers (OK) program on various psychological and behavioral outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Developed a six-session psycho-educational program (Op Koers/OK) based on cognitive behavior therapy principles.
- Evaluated the intervention using standardized and researcher-developed psychological measures in 109 chronically ill children.
- Program targeted children with diverse chronic health conditions across different age groups.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements were observed in behavioral-emotional outcomes, social competence, information seeking, relaxation, and positive thinking.
- These positive effects were noted in both short-term and medium-term follow-ups.
- Participants provided positive appraisals of the intervention sessions.
Conclusions:
- The psycho-educational group intervention (Op Koers/OK) demonstrates a significant positive impact on chronically ill children.
- The program is beneficial for children with heterogeneous chronic health conditions.
- Further research is recommended to solidify the intervention's long-term effects.
Objective:
To determine the effectiveness of a psycho-educational group intervention for chronically ill children.
Methods:
Based on principles from cognitive behavior therapy and information from previous research about children's experiences with coping with a chronic disease we developed an intervention to be used for children with different chronic diseases. The program, called Op Koers (OK), with six sessions for different age groups, was evaluated by standardised and researcher-developed psychological measures.
Results:
A total of 109 patients participated in the study on the effects of the psycho-educational intervention. Improvements in behavioral-emotional outcomes, social competence, information seeking, relaxation and positive thinking were found both in short and medium term. Additionally, the sessions received positive appraisals.
Conclusions:
The program appears to have a significant and positive impact on chronically children. Further research is needed to establish the effects of the intervention.
Practice Implications:
Beneficial effects can be expected from the implementation of a psycho-educational group intervention for children with heterogeneous chronic health conditions.
