Predictors of resilience and quality of life in children with paediatric medical conditions



McNulty, Susannah
Predictors of resilience and quality of life in children with paediatric medical conditions. Doctor of Clinical Psychology thesis, University of Liverpool.

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Abstract

A childhood chronic medical condition is any disease or illness in a child, lasting three months or more (World Health Organisation, 2014). The estimated prevalence of chronic medical conditions in children in the United Kingdom is 15-20% (ONS, 2002). These conditions can have a considerable impact on both physical and psychological functioning and have been associated with higher levels of emotional difficulties across the lifespan (Glazebrook et al., 2003; Phipps, 2007). Research suggests that in order to promote psychological wellbeing in children and young people with a chronic medical condition there should be an emphasis on resilience and quality of life (Edwards & Titman, 2010). Resilience has been defined as “the relative resistance to environmental risk or the overcoming of stress or adversity” (Rutter, 2006 p.2). Fostering resilience in children may protect against the development of psychological difficulties in adulthood (Seligman, 2000). Whilst there is an extensive literature base regarding the factors associated with resilience in children; to the authors knowledge there are no reviews to date exclusively focusing on resilience in children with a medical condition. Chapter one aims to explore the current literature pertaining to factors associated with resilience in children with a medical condition. It highlights that family environment and relationship with peers appear to be important factors relating to resilience in children with a medical condition. However, the review demonstrates that there are discrepancies in both the quality and results of the current research base. Furthermore, the studies reviewed tended to focus exclusively on one medical condition, thereby excluding a large number of children with other medical conditions. This limits the conclusions that can be drawn from the review. There is a large body of evidence highlighting the association between family environment and resilience in children (Benzies & Mychasuik, 2009; Daniel & Wassell, 2002; Garmezy, 1991), and a growing body of literature supporting the relationship between community support and resilience in children (Action for Children, 2007; Alvord & Grados, 2005). A small number of studies have explored the impact of family environment and community support in children with chronic medical conditions including cancer, asthma and dermatitis (Im & Kim, 2012; Kim & Yoo, 2010; Lee et al., 2003; McCubbin et al., 2002). However, to the author’s knowledge, there are no studies to date examining these variables in a range of chronic childhood medical conditions. Chapter two presents an empirical study which aims to investigate the impact of both family environment and parental perceived community support on resilience in children with a chronic medical condition.

Item Type: Thesis (Doctor of Clinical Psychology)
Additional Information: Date: 2015-10 (completed)
Subjects: ?? BF ??
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 22 Jan 2016 14:55
Last Modified: 17 Dec 2022 01:38
DOI: 10.17638/02032826
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/2032826