Families, Coping, and Chronic Illness: A Range of Possibilities

Abstract

Originally published in Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books, 1995, Vol 40(5), 467–467. The reviewer notes that this volume (see record 1992-98767-000) is the third in the Family Consortium series and reports on the proceedings from the Family Research Consortium conference. This conference and, subsequently, this volume, focus on research issues related to family responses to various chronic illnesses, including those that are “distinctly medical” (e.g., diabetes) (pg. viii), those in a “grey zone” (e.g., communication disorders) (pg. viii), and those considered psychiatric syndromes (e.g., schizophrenia). Consistent with this focus, the purpose of both is to enhance family research and collaboration with reference to model building and family adaptation to the stress of a chronic illness. The focus of the studies vary widely; for example, coping strategies in families with a youngster recently diagnosed with diabetes; parent beliefs, their teaching strategies, and school achievement in preschool-age and early elementary-age children with communication disorders; and family communication and expressed emotion in adults diagnosed with schizophrenia. This volume represents a unique combination of studies that vary greatly in terms of conceptual framework, subject characteristics, and methodology. Depending on readers' areas of interest and research, the reviewer notes that such a diversity could be viewed as an asset or a hindrance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)