A developmental analysis of cognitive appraisal of stress in children and adolescents with chronic illness

Our hypothesis was that cognitive appraisal of stress changes with cognitiv e development. Two systems of scoring categories, Evaluation of Stakes and Evaluation of Action, were developed that explained predictable trends in t he organization of appraisal in the direction of maturity. They were valida ted using interview data from 79 participants with chronic illness in 3 age groups: ages 8 to 9, 11 to 12, and 14 to 16. Data indicated that concrete appraisals were organized around pressing events and rules, whereas formal abstract appraisals reflected the personal context of stress and internaliz ed standards for behavior. Analysis of the emotional meaning of stress sugg ested that chronically ill adolescents in this sample were experiencing fru stration and anger.