Journal of Pediatric Psychology 18(1) pp. 83-97, 1993
© 1993 Society of Pediatric Psychology
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Conceptions of Illness by Children with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cognitive Developmental Approach1
Children's Memorial Hospital
2All correspondence should be sent to Sharon L. Berry, Medical Psychology (#10), Children's Memorial Hospital, 2300 Children's Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60614
Investigated the conceptions of illness and accuracy of understanding about their disease for children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). 54 children between the ages of 6 and 17 were interviewed individually about various aspects of JRA, with results suggesting that accuracy and illness conceptions could be reliably measured. As predicted, children's understanding about their disease followed a developmental progression, with older children demonstrating a more sophisticated understanding of JRA than younger children (significant differences between age groups on 3 of the 5 questions). Multiple regression analysis indicated that conceptual level (p < .001) was a better predictor of the child's accuracy of knowledge than was age (ns). Despite the developmental progression, there were a significant number of children functioning below the level expected for their age. In fact, the majority (75%) of children exhibited an understanding of JRA at the concrete operational level of cognitive development. The within-subject variability and striking misconceptions argue for ongoing evaluation of each child's understanding as a way to improve educational efforts.
Key words: JRA; cognitive development; conceptions of illness.
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