DISEASE AND FAMILY CONTRIBUTORS TO ADAPTATION IN JUVENILE RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS AND JUVENILE DIABETES

Objective. Research in the areas of pediatric rheumatology and pediatr ic chronic illness has emphasized comprehensive models of adaptation i nvolving risk and resistance factors. This study examined adaptation, within this framework, among a large sample of children with chronic i llness and children without chronic illness. Methods, A comprehensive battery of adaptation measures was administered to a sample of 107 chi ldren with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, 114 children with insulin-de pendent diabetes mellitus, and 88 healthy controls. Results. Medical d iagnosis was associated with mothers' depression and a composite measu re of parental (mother and father) distress and passive coping. Childr en's emotional and behavioral functioning was not related to medical d iagnosis, but mothers' depression and parental distress were associate d with child behavior problems. Conclusion. Because parental distress was associated with child functioning, interventions to ameliorate par ental distress may have beneficial effects on the children's behavior and on parents' reactions to their children.