The psychosocial well-being of children with chronic disease, their parents and siblings: an overview of the research evidence base.

The psychosocial well-being of children with chronic disease, their parents and siblings: an overview of the research evidence base.

Barlow JH; Ellard DR

Child: Care, Health And Development

2006

Child; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Evidence-Based Medicine; Family Health; Adaptation; Psychological; Parents/psychology; Children W/SNI; Mental Disorders/etiology; Meta-Analysis; Literature review; Chronic Disease/psychology/rehabilitation; Siblings/psychology

BACKGROUND: Chronic disease of childhood may have implications for the psychosocial well-being of children and their families. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the current literature regarding the psychosocial well-being of children with chronic disease, their parents and siblings. METHODS: Electronic searches were conducted using AMED, CINAHL, Cochrane Database, DARE, HTA, MEDLINE, NHS EED, PsycLIT, PsycINFO and PubMED (1990 to week 24, 2004). Inclusion criteria were systematic reviews, meta-analyses and overviews based on traditional reviews of published literature. The titles of papers were reviewed, abstracts were obtained and reviewed, and full copies of selected papers were obtained. RESULTS: Six reviews of the psychosocial well-being of children were identified: three on chronic disease in general, one on asthma, one on juvenile idiopathic arthritis and one on sickle cell disease. Two reviews of psychosocial well-being among parents and two reviews of sibling psychosocial well-being were identified. Evidence from meta-analyses shows that children were at slightly elevated risk of psychosocial distress, although only a minority experience clinical symptomatology. The proportion that experience distress remains to be clarified, as do contributory risk factors. Few conclusions can be drawn from the two reviews of parents. However, a meta-analysis of siblings showed that they are at risk from a number of negative effects. CONCLUSION: This overview has highlighted the need to extend the evidence base for psychosocial well-being of children, parents and siblings.

2006

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