Psychosocial Interventions for Children and Adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)

Abstract

Sickle cell disease (SCD), a chronic, hereditary, and congenital blood disorder, affects I in every 400 to 500 African American babies. In addition to experiencing myriad medical problems, children and adolescents in whom SCD has been diagnosed often manifest neurocognitive impairments and learning problems, internalizing and externalizing of behavior problems, problematic interpersonal relationships, low self-esteem, and maladaptive coping patterns. Despite the proliferation of research on medical interventions for SCD, there is a paucity of data on effective psychosocial interventions. This article reviews both the existing psychosocial interventions and related empirical literature for SCD youth. As many psychosocial treatment options were initially designed for SCD adults, developmentally appropriate modifications for children and adolescents will be offered. Particular attention is paid to nonpharmocologic pain management strategies (i.e., biofeedback and relaxation training, self-hypnosis, behavioral contracting, coping skills training, patient-controlled analgesic medications); educational programs, self-help and support groups; andfamily counseling and therapy.