The impact of a support program for children with a chronic condition on psychosocial indicators Author details

Children with chronic conditions are at risk for adverse psychosocial outcomes that may become barriers to optimal coping. Support programs for pre to early adolescents with a chronic condition are neglected in the literature. We conducted a pre-post intervention study to evaluate a pilot psychosocial support program for children with a chronic condition (aged 10-14 years) that aimed to enhance coping abilities. Twelve parent-child dyads participated in an 8-week support program. There was a significant increase in self esteem of children, a reduction in anxiety symptoms, and improved perceptions of family support at 3 month post group assessment. Identified coping strategies on the Children’s Coping Strategies Checklist Revised found no statistically significant differences from pre to post assessment in measures of coping strategies, but mean scores indicate an increase in active, avoidant, and support seeking coping styles from pre to post intervention. Psychosocial support programs are an effective strategy to improve a range of outcomes for children but it is difficult to recruit sufficient participants into such programs.