Children and Adolescents With Medical Conditions

Abstract

Physical health concerns are common among youth and are linked to mental health. Attention to the interplay between physical and mental health is critical for healthcare providers. This chapter highlights crosscutting issues, assessments, and interventions relevant to child health populations. To understand the interaction between medical and psychological health in youth, chronic pediatric conditions (Type 1 diabetes and sickle cell disease) are described as prototypes for understanding psychosocial issues (e.g., adherence, pain management) that affect youth with medical conditions. Evidence suggests that these children with medical conditions, especially those poorly managed or controlled, are at greater risk for psychosocial issues (e.g., stress, comorbid psychological concerns, family conflict) compared to the general population. Careful risk assessment and individual or family interventions are critical for these youth and are a focus here. Well-established interventions for diverse youth with medical conditions are discussed, and recommendations for future work in this area are provided.