Social Functioning and Coping Strategies in Romanian and Moldavian Adolescents with Chronic Diseases

Andreea Mihaela Mihalca,Lacramioara Ionela Butnariu,Loredana Ruxandra Diaconu-Gherasim

doi:10.1007/s12144-016-9468-5

Andreea Mihaela Mihalca, Lacramioara Ionela Butnariu + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-016-9468-5

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Abstract

The present study aimed to explore the cultural differences in social functioning and coping strategies in chronically ill adolescents. One hundred sixty-eight chronically ill adolescents (45.8 % girls), age 11 to 17 years from Romania (N = 78) and Republic of Moldova (N = 90) were recruited. Participants filled in self-assessment measures for social functioning problems and coping strategies. Results indicated cross-cultural differences in the studied factors: Moldavian adolescents reported more social functioning problems and higher use of maladaptive coping strategies, while using less adaptive strategies than Romanian counterparts. The associations between social functioning and maladaptive coping strategies were stronger for Romanian than Moldavian adolescents. Further, various coping strategies acted as important predictors for social functioning in the two country samples. Findings suggest that, while the direction of the relation between coping and social functioning in chronically ill adolescents is cultural invariant, the importance played by specific coping strategies in determining social functioning varies by cultural context. Therefore, clinical interventions aimed at improving the social functioning of chronically ill adolescents should take into account the reality of their cultural setting.

Highlights

Social functioning is defined as the effectiveness of using social competences in social interactions (Cavell 1990)
We focused on adolescents diagnosed with chronic renal failure (CRF), juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and asthma
This present study investigated whether there are culturebased differences in social functioning and coping strategies of chronically ill adolescents

Summary

Introduction

Social functioning is defined as the effectiveness of using social competences in social interactions (Cavell 1990). Social functioning could be impaired in the context of chronic diseases, defined as long-term conditions affecting body organs or systems and leaving behind various disabilities (McKenna et al 1998), by restrictions associated with the medical treatment, hospitalization or disability (La Greca 1990). In this specific context, social functioning could serve as an indicator for parents and health care professionals of possible difficulties with disease management, adherence to treatment or adjustment (Adams et al 2002; Thompson and Gustafson 1996). Some studies found no decrease in social functioning, not even in conditions which limit participation in social life, such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or chronic renal failure

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