Conceptions of illness by children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: a cognitive developmental approach.
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.
Berry
S L
SL
Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois 60614.
Hayford
J R
JR
Ross
C K
CK
Pachman
L M
LM
Lavigne
J V
JV
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003210:Concept Formation; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012803:Sick Role