No pain, organizational gain

Abstract

concerns the impact of chronic childhood illness. Thompson and Gustafson state that the purpose of this section is to discuss the scope of chronic childhood illness and the impact on individuals and t:amilies. The six chapters in this section address epidemiolo~,, classification, psychological adjustment, correlates of psychological adjustment, social adjustment, peer relations, school functioning, psychological adjustment of family members (parents and siblings), and adaption models. Chronic childhood illness is viewed as a potential stresSOl-. The authors indicate that children with chronic illness, their parents, and siblings are at increased risk for adjustment difficulties. Section II emphasizes the importance of developmental perspectives in understanding and facilitating adjustment to chronic childhood illness. The three chapters address developmental changes in (a) conceptualizations of health, illness, pain, and death; (b) cognitive processes; and (c) coping. This section is particularly interesting in the authors' integration of their biopsychosocial fi-amework and developmental considerations. Knowledge and understanding of the information in these chapters seems imperative for health care providers to foster the adaption of children to chronic illness. Section III tocuses on the implications of the authors' biopsychosocial approach fi)r treatment goals and intervention processes to facilitate adaption to chronic illness by children and their tamilies. The three chapters in this section address (a) intervention goals and processes, (b) adherence, and (c) pain management. Thompson and Gustafson discuss the treatment literature in terms of the primary goals of extending the duration and quality of life for children with chronic illness. They indicate the importance of targeting adaptive processes that minimize the impact of chronic illness on normative life experience.