Thirty to fifty percent of youth with epilepsy experience deficits in executive functioning (EF; Hermann et al., 2008; Modi et al., 2018), which includes skills such as planning, organization, working memory, initiation, problem-solving, and self-regulation (Lezak et al., 2004). In daily life, problems in these areas can manifest as forgetting to write down homework assignments or take medications

Abstract ObjectiveThis cross-sectional study quantified differences in (a) social determinants of health (SDOH) and perceived changes in SDOH during the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and (b) COVID-19 psychosocial impacts across four groups: (a) non-Hispanic White (NHW) parents of children with asthma, (b) Black, Indigenous, or other People of Color (BIPOC) parents of healthy children,

AbstractUnderstanding the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the developing parent-infant relationship is a priority, especially for medically-fragile infants and their caregivers who face distinct challenges and stressors. Observational assessments can provide important insights into parent-child behaviors and relational risk; however, stay-at-home directives and physical distancing measures

Advances in medical care have resulted in nearly 95% of all children with sickle cell disease (SCD) living to adulthood. There is a lack of effective transition programming, contributing to high rates of mortality and morbidity among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) during the transition from pediatric to adult healthcare. This nonrandomized study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary

This study examined the impact of a humanoid robot (MEDi®) programmed to teach deep breathing as a coping strategy, on children’s pain and fear as primary and secondary outcomes, respectively, during intravenous (IV) line placement. The completion of IV induction was also examined as an exploratory outcome.

Prolonged home isolation may lead to long-term negative consequences for both children and caregivers’ psychological wellbeing, especially in families with children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Therefore, a scoping review was conducted to identify challenges faced by caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to consolidate

Asthma and obesity disproportionately affect urban minority children. Avoidance of physical activity contributes to obesity, and urban children with asthma are at risk for lower levels of physical activity. We examined associations between lung function and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and moderators of this association in a diverse sample of children with asthma.

In response to the rapidly unfolding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in spring 2020, we developed a caregiver-report measure to understand the extent to which children and families were exposed to events related to COVID-19 and their perceptions of its impact. This article reports on the factor structure and psychometric properties of this measure.

To identify coping trajectories from diagnosis through survivorship and test whether particular trajectories exhibit better health-related quality of life (HRQOL) at 5 years post-diagnosis.

This study set out to examine the role of parenting practices in protecting or exacerbating the negative effects of parent and adolescent stress on adolescent body mass index (BMI) over time. Separate longitudinal models were conducted to evaluate how parenting practices interacted with parental perceived stress and adolescent perceived stress in predicting adolescent BMI.

Sleep problems and cumulative risk factors (e.g., caregiver depression, socioeconomic disadvantage) have independently been linked to adverse child development, but few studies have examined the interplay of these factors. We examined whether cumulative risk exposure moderated the link between sleep problems, including insomnia and poor sleep health, and child psychological outcomes.

Parents of young children with newly diagnosed food allergy (FA) are at risk for poor psychosocial outcomes due to FA’s life-threatening nature and demanding management routines. Presently, there are no interventions to support FA parents during this adjustment phase. This single-arm pilot study explores the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a novel intervention using peer mentorship

The purpose of this study was to explore anxiety, worry, and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in parents of children with food allergies, and to evaluate whether these three psychological outcomes could be predicted by allergy severity, intolerance of uncertainty, and food allergy self-efficacy.

Objective Painful experiences are common, distressing, and salient in childhood. Parent-child reminiscing about past painful experiences is an untapped opportunity to process pain-related distress and, similar to reminiscing about other distressing experiences, promotes children’s broader development. Previous research has documented the role of parent-child reminiscing about past pain in children’s

The primary goal of this study was to examine the factor structure of a spina bifida (SB) medical responsibilities measure and a medical regimen skills scale across time in families of youth with SB.

Abstract ObjectiveThis article guides researchers through the process of specifying, troubleshooting, evaluating, and interpreting latent growth mixture models. MethodsLatent growth mixture models are conducted with small example dataset of N = 117 pediatric patients using Mplus software. ResultsThe example and data show how to select a solution, here a 3-class solution. We also present information

Objective: The present study examined if caregivers’ long work hours or shift work are related to children’s sleep duration through the disruption of bedtime routines. Method: Work hours and schedules, bedtime routines and sleep (actigraph assessments) were examined in a sample of 250 caregivers and their preschool children. Results: Results revealed that consistent bedtime routines mediated the relationship

Parenting children with chronic illness may be stressful (Cousino & Hazen, 2013), placing parents at increased risk for a range of psychosocial and mental health challenges (Cohn et al., 2020). Given the unique burdens these families face, social support from other families coping with pediatric chronic illness appears to reduce distress and improve mental health (Niela-Vilén et al., 2014). Douma et al

On March 10, 2020, the Italian Government ordered a national lockdown to limit the viral transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 infections. This study investigated how these restrictive measures have impacted sleep quality, timing, and psychological difficulties in school-age children and their mothers during the lockdown.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives and workplaces of individuals across the world substantially, in ways that are yet largely unknown. This commentary aims to provide an early snapshot of the experiences of pediatric postdoctoral fellows in academic medical settings; specifically, we will explore the impact of the pandemic on developing mastery within several competencies (e.g., research

To highlight the role of implicit bias in contributing to existing health disparities among pediatric populations during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and recommend strategies to reduce its impact.

Abstract Background/ObjectivesPediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTS) are at risk of experiencing challenges in social adjustment. However, the specific social behaviors of PBTS have rarely been directly assessed. This pilot study explores the first novel use of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, second edition (ADOS-2), to evaluate the social behaviors of PBTS. MethodsTwenty-six PBTS (ages

Adherence to asthma controller medications is suboptimal among adolescents. We evaluated predictors of adherence and longitudinal patterns of medication use between 8th and 10th grade among a sample of youth of diverse race/ethnicity.

Abstract ObjectiveChildren with amplified musculoskeletal pain (AMPS) experience significant functional disability, with impairment in their ability to participate in age-appropriate activities of daily living. Parental factors play an important role in a child’s pain symptoms and treatment outcomes, with parental pain catastrophizing and protective behaviors linked to several maladaptive outcomes

The present nonrandomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a tailored text message intervention for increasing adolescent physical activity, as compared with passive monitoring.

Physical distancing behavior (PDB) is a key disease prevention strategy for limiting the spread of COVID-19. In order to effectively encourage it among adolescents, it is necessary to understand the associated mental mechanisms. Health behavior theories suggest that emotions, personality, motivation, and moral disengagement could all play a role. On the basis of a longitudinal study, we investigated

To assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL), psychosocial adjustment, and family functioning of children with differences of sex development (DSD) or cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P).

Significant strides in transition medicine have been made over the past two decades to better support adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with chronic medical conditions in navigating the shift from pediatric to adult care (White & Cooley, 2018). However, complexities remain, including challenges ensuring AYAs have adequate disease knowledge and self-management skills, reluctance breaking well-established

Transition to adult IBD care continues to be a challenge. Efficacious models of improving transition to adult care in the United States are lacking. We present data from a pilot, prospective, non-randomized, intervention implemented at IBD centers in the Midwest and Southeast United States.

To investigate treatment burden and impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for children with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and their carers.

Abstract ObjectiveCaregivers often experience their child’s hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) treatment as traumatic. Although many caregivers develop posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in response to supporting their child through HCT, other caregivers demonstrate posttraumatic growth (PTG). Religious coping may contribute to these different adjustment trajectories; however, more information

Abstract ObjectiveTo examine changes in emotional and behavioral functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) following a web-based executive functioning (EF) intervention open pilot trial (e.g., Epilepsy Journey) for adolescents with epilepsy. MethodsAdolescents with an established diagnosis of epilepsy, EF deficits, and without developmental disorders participated in a single-arm trial

AbstractObjective Anxiety and depression rates are known to be elevated in prematurely-born children and adolescents. This prospective study examines demographic, academic, and physical health correlates of anxiety and depression symptoms in a sample of 10-year-old children who were born extremely preterm. Methods Participants were 889 (51.2% male; 62.3% White) children who were born <28 weeks gestation

Following the Journal of Pediatric Psychology’s special edition on health disparities, calling for Phase 2 research exploring mechanisms of racial groups in health disparities, this study aims to explore social information processing predictors of longitudinal hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) trajectories in a racially diverse group of adolescents. The social information processing model of glycemic control

Abstract Objective Bright IDEAS (BI) is a problem-solving skills training (PSST) program that has been demonstrated in earlier randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to be an effective and specific intervention for improving problem-solving skills and reducing negative affect in caregivers of children with cancer. The objectives of this study were to (a) offer an approach to defining meaningful treatment

Abstract Objective This study aimed to describe informant discrepancies between mother and father reports of child vulnerability in youth with spina bifida (SB) and examine variables that were associated with these discrepancies. Methods Ninety-two parent dyads, with a child with SB (ages 8–15 years), were recruited as a part of a longitudinal study. Mothers and fathers completed questionnaires assessing

Abstract ObjectivesThis study examined the association between tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) and temperament among children 0–5 years old overall and within age groups: 0–2 and 3–5 years. MethodsData were obtained from the 2017–2018 NSCH (N = 14,345). TSE status was defined as whether children lived with a smoker who: does not smoke inside the home (no home TSE) or smokes inside the home (home TSE)

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to better understand conflicting findings in the literature regarding the adjustment of siblings of children with cancer by examining, in a single sample, differences in patterns of results as a function of reporter and comparator used (i.e., population norms, demographically matched classmates). Method Self- and parent-report standardized measures of

Abstract ObjectiveOne of the peak incidences of childhood cancer is during the early childhood years. This is also an important time for psychosocial and personality development, and it is well known that early childhood temperament influences later psychosocial functioning. However, this association has not been examined in young children with cancer. MethodsParents of children with cancer (N = 39)

Abstract Objective Several factors are known to impact response to the intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment (IIPT) program described in this study, yet no research has explored the role of perfectionism. This secondary data analysis explored direct and indirect relations between perfectionism and functional disability (primary outcome) and pain severity (secondary outcome) after IIPT, with pain

Abstract  Pediatric obesity confers increased risk for a host of negative psychological and physical health consequences and is reliably linked to low levels of physical activity. Affective antecedents and consequences of physical activity are thought to be important for the development and maintenance of such behavior, though research examining these associations in youth across the weight spectrum

Abstract Aims Psychosocial screenings are recommended and increasingly common in pediatric subspecialty clinics, though little is known about their acceptability. This study seeks to uncover profiles of acceptability and assess demographic and clinical correlates among adolescents with diabetes. Methods A sample of 124 adolescents (57.7% female) ages 12–21 years (M = 16.2 ± 2.3) completed screenings

Abstract ObjectiveForming and maintaining romantic relationships is an important developmental task in adolescence and young adulthood. This scoping review seeks to explore how young people with long-term physical health conditions understand and experience romantic relationships. MethodsUsing Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review framework, a systematic search of five databases was conducted (PsychINFO

Abstract ObjectiveEmpathy for pain allows one to recognize, understand, and respond to another person’s pain in a prosocial manner. Young children develop empathy for pain later than empathy for other negative emotions (e.g., sadness), which may be due to social learning. How parents reminisce with children about past painful events has been linked to children’s pain cognitions (e.g., memory) and broader

Adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF) often face a unique set of difficulties and challenges as they transition to adulthood and autonomy while also managing a progressive illness with a heavy treatment burden. Coping styles have been related to changes in physical health among youth with chronic illness more generally, but the directionality of these links has not been fully elucidated. Therefore

Families of children with phenylketonuria (PKU) report child emotional and behavioral problems, parenting stress, and parenting difficulties, which are associated with worse health-related quality of life. This study aimed to examine acceptability and feasibility of a brief, group-based parenting program (Healthy Living Triple P) for families of children with PKU.

Abstract ObjectiveHealth-related quality of life (HRQOL) is typically examined from a deficit standpoint, meaning that little is known about factors associated with higher HRQOL in pediatric illness samples. The aim of the current study was to investigate demographic, disease, and temperamental factors associated with child and parent-report of HRQOL in youth newly diagnosed with inflammatory bowel

Determining how the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is impacted by living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) can inform psychosocial interventions. The purpose of the present study is to determine if demographic and treatment variables predict membership into empirically derived subgroups of HRQOL among youth and young adults with SCD.

Abstract Objective To propose a new model outlining a hypothesized cyclical relation between executive functioning, emotional regulation, and chronic pain in adolescence and to highlight the likely importance of such a relation for self-management behavior and pain-related disability. Methods A review of the existing literature that critically explores the role of executive functioning in understanding

To examine the predictive role of social skills in youth with spina bifida (SB) on growth in medical responsibility across development.

To describe a novel, five-phase approach to collecting qualitative data from hard-to-reach populations using crowdsourcing methods.

To identify possible subgroups of health care utilization (HCU) patterns among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with a chronic medical condition (CMC), and examine how these patterns relate to transition readiness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

To evaluate the efficacy of an online psychosocial group intervention for parents of children with a chronic illness, in terms of anxiety and depression, and disease-related coping skills.

Map the current literature investigating autonomy development, identity development, and peer relationships in young people aged 10–24 years with chronic pain.

Abstract ObjectiveUpwards of 14% of late adolescents and young adults (AYAs) experience chronic pain; however, limited research has focused on factors specifically influencing late AYAs as they transition to adulthood. In this topical review, we propose a conceptual model of multidomain pain resilience (MDPR) in late AYAs with chronic pain that extends existing pain resilience literature, including

To assess the feasibility and acceptability of an educational sleep-promoting intervention (Sleep Coach Jr.) for school-aged children (ages 5–9) with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and their parents.

This study evaluated associations between parent–child connectedness and communication, parent feeding behaviors (restriction, pressure to eat, and monitoring), and age- and sex-standardized child body mass index (zBMI) in a sample of pre-adolescent children aged 8–12 years.

Prior research identified peer use as a salient risk factor of adolescent electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use, but has not expanded on the mechanisms of this association.

Examine the indirect association between parents’ experience of stigma (i.e., associative stigma) and youth depressive symptoms through the serial effects of associative stigma on parent and youth illness intrusiveness in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

To identify early life adversity (ELA) risk factors for earlier pubertal timing, itself a risk factor for poor cardiometabolic health, and to determine whether such ELA-related risk may be mediated by pre-pubertal body mass index (BMI).