Parental problem-solving abilities and the association of sickle cell disease complications with health-related quality of life for school-age children

J Clin Psychol Med Settings. 2014 Mar;21(1):56-65. doi: 10.1007/s10880-013-9379-7.

Abstract

Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at risk for poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The current analysis sought to explore parent problem-solving abilities/skills as a moderator between SCD complications and HRQOL to evaluate applicability to pediatric SCD. At baseline, 83 children ages 6-12 years and their primary caregiver completed measures of child HRQOL. Primary caregivers also completed a measure of social problem-solving. A SCD complications score was computed from medical record review. Parent problem-solving abilities significantly moderated the association of SCD complications with child self-report psychosocial HRQOL (p = .006). SCD complications had a direct effect on parent proxy physical and psychosocial child HRQOL. Enhancing parent problem-solving abilities may be one approach to improve HRQOL for children with high SCD complications; however, modification of parent perceptions of HRQOL may require direct intervention to improve knowledge and skills involved in disease management.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / psychology*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Parents / psychology*
  • Problem Solving / physiology*
  • Quality of Life / psychology*
  • Social Behavior*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires