Examination of Risk and Resiliency in a Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease Population Using the Psychosocial Assessment Tool 2.0

Karlson CW et al. – Results suggest that the PAT has utility in a pediatric sickle cell disease sample. Most caregivers reported low distress and high resiliency factors in this population.

Methods

• 219 caregivers completed the PAT during regular hematology clinic visits.
• Confirmatory factor analysis and tests of reliability were conducted.
• Multilevel modeling examined change and predictors of risk scores across four assessments.

Results

• Confirmatory factor analysis factor loadings ranged from .03 to .81, and reliability coefficients ranged from .43 to .83.
• Risk for patient and sibling emotional problems, family problems, and parent stress reaction decreased over time.
• Increased patient age, chronic blood transfusion, lower caregiver education, caregivers being divorced, fewer adults and more children in the home, and greater financial difficulties were independent predictors of psychosocial risk.

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