Change Over a 12-Month Period in the Psychological Adjustment of Children and Adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis

Finds that group rates of mother-reported and child-reported adjustment problems remained relatively constant over initial and 12-month follow-up assessment points, adding support for the role of maternal adjustment and child self-worth in the adjustment of children with cystic fibrosis.

Abstract

Found that group rates of mother-reported and child-reported adjustment problems remained relatively constant over initial and 12-month follow-up assessment points. However, there was less stability in the classification of the adjustment of individuals, in specific behavior problem patterns and diagnoses, and in child-reported adjustment than in mother-reported adjustment. With initial level of child adjustment controlled, children's perceptions of self-worth accounted for a significant increment in child-reported symptoms and mother-reported adjustment at follow-up. Maternal distress also accounted for a significant increment in child-reported symptoms. These findings add support for the role of maternal adjustment and child self-worth in the adjustment of children with cystic fibrosis.