STABILITY AND CHANGE IN THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ADJUSTMENT OF MOTHERS OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH CYSTIC-FIBROSIS AND SICKLE-CELL DISEASE

Found moderate stability in the classification of maternal adjustment in two longitudinal studies of mothers of children and adolescents wit h cystic fibrosis's and sickle cell disease. In terms of the transacti onal stress and coping model, stable poor maternal adjustment was asso ciated with higher levels of appraisal of daily stress and palliative coping and low levels of family supportiveness. With initial levels of maternal adjustment, demographic parameters, and follow-up interval c ontrolled, concurrent levels of daily stress accounted for significant portions of variance in maternal adjustment at follow-up for both ill ness groups. In addition, illness severity, child psychological adjust ment, and family conflict added significant increments to maternal adj ustment at follow-up in the cystic fibrosis group. Findings are discus sed in terms of a basis for subsequent intervention studies to enhance the adjustment of mothers of children with chronic illness.