Findings from our review suggest an association between race/ethnicity, SES, and health outcomes in pediatric T1D. Researchers should consider developing interventions that take into account factors which may place children from racial/ethnic minority and lower-SES backgrounds at risk for poor metabolic control and emotional functioning. Future research should examine causative mechanisms of health disparities.
Objective The current study investigated whether factors associated with quality of life (QOL) in children with asthma (e.g., family functioning, asthma routines, asthma severity) differed by child age. Methods Participants included 192 children with asthma (5-12 years) and their caregivers. Both children and caregivers completed questionnaires at an initial research session. Family functioning was determined from a mealtime observation that occurred in family homes. Results Child age moderated the association between asthma severity and child QOL and between routine burden and QOL in children with asthma. Post hoc probing analyses revealed that among older children, QOL levels were lower in the presence of worse asthma severity and more routine burden. Conclusions Findings suggest that associations between asthma severity, routine burden, and QOL may differ by child age. Treatment programs and health-care recommendations addressing QOL in children with asthma may need to be tailored to address differences in factors associated with QOL by child age.
Background
Research has shown that broad cognitive functioning in individuals with CF is intact. Specific executive functioning (EF) deficits have been identified, however, and adults with CF report more symptoms of ADHD than the general population. EF skills are critical to the management of a complex disease like CF although studies have not adequately examined EF mechanisms in CF. This manuscript (a) described EF in a small sample of children with CF, (b) summarized relations found between EF and psychosocial variables, and (c) presented a conceptual model by which to understand EF's impact on adherence in CF.
Methods
Data for this preliminary study were collected from 19 children with CF and their caregivers (ages, 6‐18). Caregivers completed questionnaires assessing their child's physical and mental health, their own functioning, and overall family functioning. EF was measured using a parent‐report rating scale. Patient health data were collected from the electronic medical record.
Results
This sample did not demonstrate elevated levels of EF impairment. Worse EF was related to poor family communication/cohesion, as well as higher treatment burden, worse lung function, poorer adherence, and older age. From these findings, a preliminary model was developed describing EF in the context of CF and adherence.
Conclusions
Findings from this preliminary study suggest that the CF regimen and associated symptoms may overload otherwise adequate EF skills. Reducing disease burden and preventing burnout should be a focus of treatment. A better understanding of EF in CF and the impact on adherence would allow for better clinical management and effective design of interventions.
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