“…For instance, in a sample of children with spina bifida, Holmbeck and colleagues (2002) found that elevated levels of parental overprotection were significantly related to less autonomy and more externalizing behavior problems in their children. In addition to their behaviors, parental beliefs (e.g., perceived child vulnerability) have been associated with increased levels of illness uncertainty in adolescents with Type I diabetes mellitus (Mullins et al, 2007). In fact, one of the single most reliable predictors of a child's adjustment to a chronic illness is parent adjustment (Mullins & Chaney, 2001).…”