Life Participation and Adaptive Functioning of Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Children with β-Thalassemia in Turkiye: An...

β-Thalassemia is a prevalent inherited blood disorder with substantial medical and psychosocial consequences. In countries with high immigration rates, such as Turkiye, immigrant children with β-thalassemia face compounded vulnerabilities due to socioeconomic disadvantage, disrupted education, and cultural adaptation challenges. This cross-sectional study included 61 children (aged 5-17 years) with β-thalassemia, of whom 54.1% were immigrants. Adaptive functioning was assessed using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-II (VABS-II), and participation was measured using the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth (PEM-CY). Nearly one in four children (24.6%) were not attending school, with higher non-attendance observed among those with complications and lower adaptive functioning. Immigrant children demonstrated significantly lower adaptive functioning scores, particularly in communication and daily living domains, although participation scores were similarly low across immigrant and non-immigrant groups. Findings highlight the intersection of chronic illness and migration in shaping children's developmental outcomes. Immigrant children with β-thalassemia require tailored interventions to address language, cultural, and socioeconomic barriers that hinder their participation in school and community life.