APPRAISAL AND COPING WITH VASO-OCCLUSIVE CRISIS IN ADOLESCENTS WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE.
Contributors: University of Miami.
Published: 1996
Number of pages: 244
Subjects: Sociology, Ethnic and Racial Studies.; Health Sciences, Nursing.; Black Studies.; Psychology, Physiological.
Description: This triangulation study investigated the relationships between pain appraisals and coping in adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD) within a theoretical framework of Roy's adaptational model (RAM) and cognitive-phenomenological theory of stress (CPTS). The purpose was to gain an understanding of the relationship between pain appraisals and coping behaviors in adolescents with SCD during periods of crisis (VOC). In addition, factors impacting on the ability of adolescents to cope with VOC events were identified. Triangulation of theory, data collection methods, and units of analysis were used to achieve an holistic and contextual portrayal of coping with VOC events by African-American male and female adolescents with SCD, between the ages of 13 and 19.

Data were obtained using: (a) the Pain Beliefs and Perception Inventory to measure the pain appraisal of the adolescents; (b) the Coping Skills Questionnaire to measure their use of cognitive-behavioral strategies used during the VOC event; and (c) two open-ended questions about what helped or hindered coping with VOC. Demographic information and historical illness profiles were collected.

Major quantitative findings indicated that adolescents with SCD who cognitively distort the VOC event frequently used cognitive coping strategies that are associated with poor adjustment. Self-efficacy beliefs about the ability to control and decrease the VOC event frequently led to the use of cognitive and behavioral coping strategies that are associated with positive adjustment.

Major qualitative findings from this study indicated that "living with VOC" is physically and psychosocially stressful for the adolescents. They endured feelings of helplessness during the VOC events. The helplessness was attributed to living an interrupted life and being discounted by some individuals during the VOC event. Qualitative findings also indicated that adolescents engaged in a variety of behaviors to take control of the VOC event. These behaviors allowed the adolescents to decrease the impact of the event, maintain a positive outlook for the future, and make a difficult situation tolerable. Implications for research, theory development, and clinical practice were discussed.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 57-12, Section: A, page: 5308.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI, 1996.

School code: 0125.