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Evaluating the protective role of racial identity in children with sickle cell disease

Crystal S Lim1, Josie S Welkom, Lindsey L Cohen

  • 1Department of Clinical & Health Psychology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100165, Gainesville, FL 32610-0165, USA. cms528@phhp.ufl.edu

Journal of Pediatric Psychology
|May 9, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Racial identity may influence how children with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience quality of life (QOL). Children with low pain and positive racial identity views reported better physical QOL.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Hematology
  • Psychosocial Health
  • Health Disparities

Background:

  • Sickle cell disease (SCD) significantly impacts children's quality of life (QOL).
  • The role of psychosocial factors, such as racial identity, in mediating the relationship between pain and QOL in pediatric SCD is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if racial identity moderates the association between pain and QOL in children with SCD.
  • To explore the influence of racial judgments on the lived experiences of children with SCD.

Main Methods:

  • 100 children (aged 8-18) with SCD completed validated questionnaires during routine medical visits.
  • Measures included assessments of pain, QOL across multiple dimensions, and racial identity, specifically focusing on 'regard racial identity' (racial judgments).

Main Results:

  • Regard racial identity showed a trend towards moderating the relationship between pain and physical QOL (p=0.07).
  • Children with low pain and high regard racial identity reported superior physical QOL compared to those with low pain and low regard.
  • While pain predicted all QOL dimensions and racial identity predicted social QOL, moderation was not significant for all QOL aspects.

Conclusions:

  • Racial identity, particularly racial judgments, may be a significant factor influencing physical QOL in children with SCD.
  • Future research should consider the role of racial identity in understanding and improving QOL for pediatric SCD patients.
Abstract

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