Family environment, child behavior, and medical indicators in children with kidney disease

Effects of family environment on child behavior symptoms and medical indica tors in children with one of three kidney diseases were examined. Parents ( n = 41) of children with nephrotic syndrome, chronic renal insufficiency, o r kidney transplant completed family environment and child behavior questio nnaires. Medical indicators (utilization and medications) were collected fr om medical records. A model including child age, diagnostic group, and fami ly environment variables successfully predicted all outcomes except interna lizing behavior. Higher family conflict predicted more externalizing sympto ms and higher number of prescribed medications; higher family cohesion pred icted fewer hospitalizations. Nontraditional family structure predicted hig her number of prescribed medications. Results are discussed as they relate to a stress and resistance framework. need for research on direction of eff ect, and clinical recommendations.