ABSTRACT
Large numbers of children, adolescents, and young adults are affected by chronic physical conditions. Moreover, psychological disorders that can accompany these conditions may warrant specialized psychological intervention (Cadman, Boyle, Szamari, & Offord, 1987; Gortmaker & Sappenfield, 1984). Several factors heighten the need to refine conceptual models of family adaptation to the stress of childhood chronic illness in order to guide family-centered intervention with this population. Childhood chronic illness imposes strenuous emotional burdens on parents, siblings, and extended family members that can constrain their quality of life (Drotar, Crawford, & Bush, 1984). Moreover, the quality of family functioning is a salient influence on the child's ability to negotiate the stressful demands of treatment regimens, socialize with physically healthy peers, and function effectively in school or at work (Pless, Roghmann, & Haggerty, 1972). For these reasons, effective intervention for children with chronic physical disorders should address family influences.
