Stress and Coping Among Mothers of Infants With a Sickle Cell Condition

Sickle cell disease as a neurodevelopmental disorder

“…For example, parents of children with SCD must nurse their child through pain episodes, monitor their child's adherence to physician prescribed medical regimens, advocate for their child in school settings, and help their child cope with distress resulting from disease effects, such as delayed puberty and peer teasing [Committee on Genetics, 1996;Frank et al, 1999;Brown et al, 2000b]. Caregivers of children with SCD rate disease specific concerns, such pain episodes and ongoing care, as being highly stressful [Rao and Kramer, 1993].…”

Mothers of Children With Leukemia: self-reported and observed distress and coping During Painful Pediatric Procedures

“…Based on the prior literature, the primary hypotheses examined here are: 1) Use of coping strategies by mothers of children with leukemia will be similar to that of an adult community sample dealing with less severe stressors. However, these mothers will use greater amounts of active coping, such as self-control and planful problem-solving, in their coping attempts (Rao & Kramer, 1993). 2) Mothers who use active coping strategies will be more likely to engage in behaviors that engender child coping, and thereby report and display less distress during the LP.…”

Culturally sensitive family interventions for chronically ill youth: Sickle cell disease as an example.

“…Regardless of whether or not mothers of SCD youth evidence psychological symptomatology, these women do report high levels of stress associated with being informed about their child's diagnosis and caring for their SCD child (22). Positive reappraisal, seeking social support, and planful problem solving are the coping strategies most often used by mothers to cope effectively with their child's SCD (22). Some research reveals that healthy siblings have more depression and coping problems than their SCD siblings (30).…”

“…Poor maternal adjustment appears related to high stress levels and family control, palliative coping methods, and limited family support (27). Regardless of whether or not mothers of SCD youth evidence psychological symptomatology, these women do report high levels of stress associated with being informed about their child's diagnosis and caring for their SCD child (22). Positive reappraisal, seeking social support, and planful problem solving are the coping strategies most often used by mothers to cope effectively with their child's SCD (22).…”