Main description:

Children and adolescents with chronic illnesses face extraordinary psychological stressors, which often occur alongside or because of burdensome medical treatment regimens. Illness-related pressure and worry plague family members as well. These children and families need psychological support to help them comply with doctors' orders and to cope with issues such as restricted physical activity, frequent absences from school, and social problems. This book is designed to advance scientific understanding of interventions that promote psychological adaptation and adherence to treatment for children and adolescents with chronic health conditions. Throughout the book, key research findings concerning illness management, reducing noncompliance, and improving psychological outcomes are brought to light. The author lays out research priorities and discusses clinical applications that integrate research into practice. Psychologists who provide clinical care in pediatric settings will learn about new interventions that can be tailored to the individual needs of children and families coping with asthma, diabetes, cancer, sickle-cell anemia, arthritis, and cystic fibrosis. Researchers will find guidance on the design, methodology, measurement, and ethics of testing interventions with children and families.