Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T18:33:19.709Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Influence of Behavioural Family Intervention on the Health of Chronically Ill Children

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2014

Jack W. Finney  and
Melanie J. Bonner
Jack W. Finney
Affiliation:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Melanie J. Bonner
Affiliation:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Get access

Abstract

Chronic illnesses in children and adolescents present difficulties for the individual and family. A family systems perspective can provide directions for assessment and intervention with these children and their families. A review is made of research on family interventions for children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), and the influence of intervention on health outcomes is discussed. Few family interventions, particularly behavioural family interventions, have been rigorously evaluated, but multisystemic models show promise for improving children's health outcomes and family adaptation to chronic illnesses.

Type
Research Article
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 9 , Issue 3 , September 1992 , pp. 157 - 170
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 1992

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Achenbach, T.M., & Edelbrock, C. (1983). Manual for the Child Behavior Checklist and Revised Behavior Profile. Burlington: University of Vermont.Google Scholar
Alexander, A.B. (1972). Systematic relaxation and flow rates in asthmatic children: Relationships to emotional precipitants and anxiety. Psychosomatic Research, 16, 405–410.Google Scholar
Anderson, B.J., & Auslander, W.F. (1980). Research on diabetes management and the family: A critique. Diabetes Care, 3, 696–702.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Anderson, B.J., Miller, J.P., Auslander, W.F., & Santiago, J.V. (1981). Family characteristics of diabetic adolescents: Relationship to metabolic control. Diabetes Care, 4, 586–594.Google Scholar
Arrington, A., Sullaway, M., & Christensen, A. (1988). Behavioral family assessment. In Falloon, I.R.H. (Ed.), Handbook of behavioral family therapy (pp. 78–106). New York: Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Barbarin, O., Hughes, D., & Chesler, M. (1985). Stress, coping, and marital functioning among parents of children with cancer. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 47, 473–480.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Beck, S., & Smith, L.K. (1988). Personality and social skills assessment of children with special reference to somatic disorders. In Karoly, P. (Ed.), Handbook of child health assessment: Biopsychosocial perspectives (pp. 149–172). New York: John Wiley and Sons.Google Scholar
Blotcky, A.D., Raczynski, J.M., Gurwitch, R., & Smith, K. (1985). Family influences on hopelessness among children early in the cancer experience. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 10, 479–493.Google Scholar
Brady, J.V. (1986). A behavioral perspective on child health. In Krasnegor, N.A., Arasteh, J. D., & Cataldo, M. F. (Eds.), Child health behavior: A behavioral pediatrics perspective (pp. 31–53). New York: John Wiley and Sons.Google Scholar
Brody, G.H., & Forehand, R. (1986). Maternal perceptions of child maladjustment as a function of the combined influences of child behavior and maternal depression. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 237–240.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carney, R.M., Schechter, K., & Davis, T. (1983). Improving adherence to blood glucose testing in insulin-dependent diabetic children. Behavior Therapy, 14, 247–254.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cauce, A. (1986). Social networks and social competence: Exploring the effects of early adolescent friendships. American Journal of Community Psychology, 14, 607–628Google Scholar
Cauce, A., Felner, R., & Primavera, J. (1982). Social support in high-risk adolescents: Structural components and adaptive impact. American Journal of Community Psychology, 10, 417–428.Google Scholar
Cederblad, M., Helgesson, M., Larsson, Y., & Ludvigsson, J. (1982). Family structure and diabetes in children. Pediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology, 10, 94–98.Google Scholar
Chaney, J.M., & Peterson, L. (1989). Family variables and disease management in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 14, 389–403.Google Scholar
Christensen, A., Phillips, S., Glasgow, R.E., & Johnson, S.M. (1983). Parental characteristics and interactional dysfunction in families with child behavior problems: A preliminary investigation. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 11, 153–166.Google Scholar
Creer, T.L., Harm, D.L., & Marion, R.J. (1988). Childhood asthma. In Routh, D.K. (Ed.), Handbook of pediatric psychology (pp. 162–189). New York: Guilford.Google Scholar
Derogatis, L.R. (1986). Psychology in cancer medicine: A perspective and overview. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 632–638.Google Scholar
Drotar, D. (1981). Psychological perspectives in chronic childhood illness. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 6, 211–228.Google Scholar
Drotar, D., & Bush, M. (1985). Mental health issues and services. In Hobbs, N. & Perrin, J.M. (Eds.), Issues in the care of children with chronic illness (pp. 514–550). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.Google Scholar
Eiser, C. (1990). Psychological effects of chronic disease. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 31, 85–98.Google Scholar
Ennett, S.T., DeVellis, B.M., Earp, J., Kredich, D., Warren, R.W., & Wilhelm, C.L. (1991). Disease experience and psychosocial adjustment in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: Children's versus mothers' reports. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 16, 557–568.Google Scholar
Epstein, L.H., Beck, S., Figueroa, J., Farkas, G., Kazdin, A.E., Daneman, D., & Becker, D. (1981). The effects of targeting improvements in urine glucose on metabolic control in children with insulin dependent diabetes. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 14, 365–375.Google Scholar
Erksine, J., & Schonell, M. (1979). Relaxation therapy in bronchial asthma. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 23, 131–139.Google Scholar
Falloon, I.R.H., & Lillie, F.J. (1988). Behavioral family therapy: An overview. In Falloon, I.R.H. (Ed.), Handbook of behavioral family therapy (pp. 3–26). New York: Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Feldman, G. (1976). The effect of biofeedback training on respiratory resistance of asthmatic children. Psychosomatic Medicine, 38, 27–34.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fiese, B.H., & Sameroff, A.J. (1989). Family context in pediatric psychology: A transactional perspective. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 14, 293–314.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Finney, J.W., Riley, A.W., & Cataldo, M.F. (1991). Psychology in primary health care: Effects of brief targeted therapy on children's medical care utilization. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 16, 447–461.Google Scholar
Friedman, A.G., & Mulhern, R.K. (1991). Psychological adjustment among children who are long-term survivors of cancer. In Johnson, J.H. & Johnson, S.B. (Eds.), Advances in child health psychology (pp. 16–27). Gainesville: University of Florida Press.Google Scholar
Friedrich, W.N., & Copeland, D.R. (1983). Brief family-focused intervention on the pediatric cancer unit. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 9, 293–298.Google Scholar
Gaudet, L.M., & Powers, G.M. (1989). Systems treatment in pediatric chronic illness: A parent group program. Family Systems Medicine, 7, 90–99.Google Scholar
Gortmaker, S.L. (1985). Demography of chronic childhood diseases. In Hobbs, N. & Perrin, J.M. (Eds.), Issues in the care of children with chronic illness: A source book on problems, services, and policies (pp. 135–154). San Francisco: Jossey Bass.Google Scholar
Green, M. (1985). The adaptation of children and families: The new pediatric agenda. In Green, M. (ed.), The psychosocial aspects of the family (pp.1–12) Lexington, MA: Lexington.Google Scholar
Greenberg, H.S., Kazak, A.E., & Meadows, A.T. (1989). Psychologic functioning in 8- to 16-year old cancer survivors and their parents. Journal of Pediatrics, 114, 488–493.Google Scholar
Gross, A.M., Magalnick, L.J., Richardson, P. (1985). Self-management training with families and insulin-dependent diabetic children: Controlled long-term investigation. Child and Family Behavior Therapy, 7, 35–50.Google Scholar
Hanson, C.L. (1990). Understanding insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and treating children with IDDM and their families. In Henggeler, S.W. & Borduin, C.M. (Eds.), Family therapy and beyond: A multisystemic approach to treating the behavior problems of children and adolescents (pp. 278–323). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.Google Scholar
Hanson, C.L., Henggeler, S.W., Harris, M.A., Burghen, G.A., & Moore, M. (1989). Family system variables and the health status of adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Health Psychology, 8, 239–253.Google Scholar
Harper, D.C. (1991). Paradigms for investigating rehabilitation and adaptation to childhood disability and chronic illness. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 16, 533–542.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Horowitz, W.A., & Kazak, A.E. (1990). Family adaptation to childhood cancer: Sibling and family systems variables. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 19, 221–228.Google Scholar
Johnson, M.R. (1979). Mental health interventions with medically ill children: A review of the literature 1970–1977. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 4 147–164.Google Scholar
Johnson, S.B. (1985). The family and the child with chronic illness. In Turk, D.C. & Kerns, R.D. (Eds.), Health, illness, and families (pp. 220–254). New York: Wiley.Google Scholar
Kazak, A.E. (1989). Families of chronically ill children: A systems and socio-ecological model of adaptation and challenge. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 57, 25–30.Google Scholar
Kazak, A., & Marvin, R. (1984). Differences, difficulties, and adaptation. Stress and social networks in families with a handicapped child. Family Relations, 33, 67–77.Google Scholar
Kazak, A., & Meadows, A.T. (1989). Families of young adolescents who have survived cancer: Social-emotional adjustment, adaptability, and social support. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 14 175–191.Google Scholar
Kazak, A., Reber, M., & Snitzer, L. (1988). Childhood chronic diseases and family functioning: A study of phenylketonuria. Pediatrics, 81, 224–230.Google Scholar
Klemp, S.B., & La Greca, A.M. (1987). Adolescents with IDDM: The role of family cohesion and conflict. [Abstract]. Diabetes, 36, 18A.Google Scholar
Koocher, G.P., & O'Malley, J.E. (1981). The Damocles syndrome: Psychosocial consequences of surviving childhood cancer. New York: McGraw-Hill.Google Scholar
Kovacs, M., Brent, D., Steinberg, T.F., Paulauskas, S., & Reid, J. (1986). Children's self-reports of psychologic adjustment and coping strategies during first year of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care, 9, 472–479.Google Scholar
Kovacs, M., Finkelstein, R., Feinberg, T.L., Crouse-Novak, M., Paulauskas, S., & Pollock, M. (1985). Initial psychologic responses of parents to the diagnosis of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in their children. Diabetes Care, 8, 568–575.Google Scholar
Kronenberger, W.G., & Thompson, R.J. Jr., (1990). Dimensions of family functioning in families with chronically ill children: A higher-order factor analysis of the Family Environment Scale. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 19, 380–388.Google Scholar
Kupst, M.J., Schulman, J.L., Maurer, K., Honig, G., Morgan, , & Fochtman, D. (1984). Coping with pediatric leukemia: A two-year follow-up. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 9, 149–163.Google Scholar
Kupst, M.J., Tylke, L., Thomas, L., Mudd, M.E., Richardson, C., & Schulman, J.L. (1983). Strategies of intervention with families of pediatric leukemia patients: A longitudinal perspective. Social Work in Health Care, 8, 31–47.Google Scholar
Lewis, B.L., & Khaw, K.T.C. (1982). Family functioning as a mediating variable affecting psychosocial adjustment of children with cystic fibrosis. Journal of Pediatrics, 101, 636–640.Google Scholar
Magrab, P., & Calcagno, P. (1978). Psychological impact of chronic pediatric conditions. In Magrab, P.R. (Ed.), Psychological management of pediatric problems (pp. 3–14). Baltimore: University Park.Google Scholar
Masek, B.J., Fentress, D.W., & Spirito, A. (1984). Behavioral treatment of symptoms of childhood illness. Clinical Psychology Review, 4, 561–570.Google Scholar
Melamed, B.G. (1991). Stress and coping in pediatric psychology: An overview. In Johnson, J.H. & Johnson, S.B. (Eds.), Advances in child health psychology (pp 3–15). Gainesville: University of Florida Press.Google Scholar
Minuchin, S., Baker, L., Rosman, B.L., Liebman, R., Melman, L., & Todd, T.C. (1975). A conceptual model of psychosomatic illness in children: Family organization and family therapy. Archives of General Psychiatry, 32, 1031–1038.Google Scholar
Moos, R.H., & Moos, B.S. (1981). Family Environment Scale. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.Google Scholar
Olson, D.H., Portner, J., & Bell, R.Q. (1982). FACES II: Family adaptability and cohesion evaluation scales. St. Paul, MN: Department of Family Social Science, University of Minnesota.Google Scholar
Olson, D.H., Russell, C.S., & Sprenkle, D.H. (1983). Circumplex model VI: Theoretical update. Family Process, 22, 69–83.Google Scholar
Patterson, G.R., McNeal, S., Hawkins, N., & Phelps, R. (1967). Reprogramming the social environment. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 8, 181–195.Google Scholar
Perrin, E.C., Stein, R.E.K., & Drotar, D. (1991). Cautions in using the Child Behavior Checklist: Observations based on research about children with a chronic illness. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 16, 411–421.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Peterson, L. (1986). Introduction to the special series. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 591–592.Google Scholar
Roberts, M.C., & Maieron, M.J. (1989). Family issues in pediatric psychology. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 14, 153–156.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rogentine, G.N. Jr., van Kammen, D.P., Fox, B.H., Docherty, J.P., Rosenblatt, J.E., Boyd, S.C., & Bunney, W.E. Jr., (1979). Psychological factors in the prognosis of malignant melanoma: A prospective study. Psychosomatic Medicine, 41, 647–655.Google Scholar
Routh, D.K. (1991). The family as a frontier in child health psychology. In Johnson, J.H. & Johnson, S.B. (Eds.), Advances in child health psychology (pp. 323–330). Gainesville: University of Florida Press.Google Scholar
Russo, D.C., & Tarbell, S.E. (1984). Child health psychology: Emerging responsibilities of the pediatric health psychologist. Clinical Psychology Review, 4, 495–502.Google Scholar
Satin, W., La Greca, A.M., Zigo, M.A., & Skyler, J.S. (1989). Diabetes in adolescence: Effects of multifamiliy group intervention and parent simulation of diabetes. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 14, 259–275.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schafer, L.C., Glasgow, R.E., & McCaul, K.D. (1982). Increasing adherence of diabetic adolescents. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 5, 353–363.Google Scholar
Scherr, M.S., Crawford, P.L., Sergent, C.B., & Scherr, C.A. (1975). Effects of biofeedback techniques on chronic asthma in summer camp environment. Annals of Allergy, 35, 289–295.Google Scholar
Siegel, L.J., & Graham-Pole, J. (1991). Stress, immunity, and disease outcome in children undergoing cancer chemotherapy. In Johnson, J.H. & Johnson, S.B. (Eds.), Advances in child health psychology (pp. 28–41). Gainesville: University of Florida Press.Google Scholar
Siegel, L.J., Smith, K.E., & Wood, T.A. (1991). Children medically at risk. In Kratochwill, T.R. & Morris, R.J. (Eds.), The practice of child therapy (pp. 328–363). New York: Pergamon Press.Google Scholar
Singsen, B.H., Johnson, M.A., & Bernstein, B.A. (1979). Psychodynamics of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. In Miller, J.J. (Ed.), Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (pp. 249–265). Littleton, MA: PSG Publishing.Google Scholar
Spinetta, J. (1983). Family response to children and adolescent cancer. In Copeland, D.R., Pfefferbaum, B., & Stovall, A.J. (Eds.), The mind of the child who is said to be sick (pp. 143–154). Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.Google Scholar
Todd, T.C. (1988). Behavioral and systemic family therapy: A comparison. In Falloon, Ian R.H. (Ed.), Handbook of behavioral family therapy (pp. 449–460). New York: Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Varni, J.W., & Jay, S.M. (1984). Behavioral factors in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical Psychology Review, 4, 542–560.Google Scholar
Wallander, J.L., Varni, J.W., Babani, L., Banis, H.T., & Wilcox, K.T. (1989). Family resources as resistance factors for psychological maladjustment in chronically ill and handicapped children. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 14, 157–173.Google Scholar
Wallander, J.L., Varni, J.W., Babani, L., Banis, H.T., & Wilcox, K.T. (1988). Children with chronic physical disorders: Maternal reports of their psychological adjustment. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 13, 197–212.Google Scholar
Weist, M.D., Finney, J.W., Barnard, M.U., Davis, C.D., & Ollendick, T.H. (in press). Empirical selection of psychosocial treatment targets for children and adolescents with diabetes. Journal of Pediatric Psychology.Google Scholar
Worchel, F., Nolan, B., Willson, V., Purser, J., Copeland, D., & Pfefferbaum, B. (1988). Assessment of depression in children with cancer. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 13, 101–112.Google Scholar