Date of Award

12-2009

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Lindsey Cohen - Chair

Second Advisor

Frank Floyd

Third Advisor

Leslie Jackson

Abstract

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder that affects approximately 1 out of every 600 African-American newborns (NHLBI, 2006). Research suggests that caregivers of children with SCD are at risk for maladjustment. The purpose of this current study was to build upon previous research regarding stress and coping of parents of children with SCD. Additionally, novel information regarding the effects of racial identity was explored. Participants included 103 caregivers (M = 41.1 years old, SD = 8.04 years) of children with SCD. Parents completed a demographic form, the Brief Symptom Inventory-18, Pediatric Inventory for Parents, Coping Health Inventory for Parents, and the Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity. Results revealed that increases in caregiver stress associated with parenting a chronically ill child were accompanied by increases in caregiver psychosocial maladjustment. Caregiver coping did not significantly predict functioning nor moderate the stress-adjustment relation. Exploratory analysis revealed significant associations between parents’ racial identity and parenting stress.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/1234833

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