Parental acceptability of treatments for children's hypercholesterolemia

This study examined the acceptability ratings of three alternative treatments applied to case descriptions which varied in their level of problem severity. Evaluations were provided by 40 parents seeking services in a Pediatric Preventive Cardiology Clinic for treatment of their children's hypercholesterolemia. Results indicated that both diet and diet plus goal setting were rated as significantly more acceptable than medication. Ratings of diet and diet plus goal setting did not vary as a function of problem severity, however, medication was rated as more acceptable when applied to a more severe case example, as opposed to a mild case example. Findings are discussed in relation to the clinical significance of these findings and the need for future research.