PSYCHOLOGICAL ADJUSTMENT OF ADULTS WITH SICKLE-CELL-ANEMIA - STABILITY OVER 20 MONTHS, CORRELATES, AND PREDICTORS

The stability of psychological adjustment was assessed across three ti me points spanning a 20-month period with 59 African-American adults w ith sickle cell anemia. Stable good adjustment was associated with low er levels of daily and illness-related stress, palliative methods of c oping with stress, and pain coping strategies characterized by negativ e thinking/passive adherence. With baseline levels of illness and demo graphic parameters controlled, baseline levels of daily and illness-re lated stress made significant independent contributions to adjustment at 20 months follow-up, The findings are discussed in relation to the potential utility of improving methods of coping with stress and pain to enhance the adjustment of patients with sickle cell anemia. (C) 199 6 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.