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Breaking the news: how families first learn about their child's chronic condition

Article Abstract:

The manner and circumstances under which parents are first told their infant has a serious condition may increase or decrease their distress. Researchers interviewed mostly white and middle class parents of 43 infants with Down syndrome, congenital heart disease (CHD), or both. Most received the news within 48 hours of the child's birth. Sixty-one percent of families reported positive experiences. All three groups wanted to be given the news in person, privately, and with both parents present. Parents reported negative experiences such as having one parent telephoned at work with the diagnosis or receiving the news in the presence of a hospital roommate and her visitors. They also wanted to be kept updated about the child's condition and to be given accurate and up-to-date information. This last concern was a greater problem for parents of Down syndrome children, some of whom reported receiving literature written in the 1950s.

Social aspects, Physician and patient, Physician-patient relations, Family

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Risk and resilience among children and youth with disabilities

Article Abstract:

How well a child copes with a chronic illness or disability may depend on a complex interplay of factors. According to studies, children with chronic illness or disability are more likely to display psychological and behavioral problems than healthy children. However, the characteristics of the illness or disability, the personality of the child, the degree of resilience and adaptability of the family, and the availability of information, support, and services in the surrounding community all interact to reduce or increase the child's risk.

Health aspects

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Adolescent substance use and abuse

Article Abstract:

A 1990 report by the Institute of Medicine concluded that little is known about adolescent drug use. Since that time, seven screening methods have been developed to assess adolescent drug use, and some basic information about treatment effects has been collected. Treatment is better than no treatment, but specific evaluation of methods has not been sufficiently undertaken. Prevention strategies that seek to alter the social norms of peer groups work better than scare tactics, drug information, or moral appeals.

Care and treatment, Analysis, Teenagers, Youth, Substance abuse, Drug use, Substance abuse treatment, Drugs and youth, Juvenile drug abuse

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