Appraisal and coping with vaso-occlusive crisis in adolescents with sickle cell disease.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationships among appraisals of vaso-occlusive events, coping behavior during the event, and adjustment in adolescents with sickle cell disease.


METHODS
A descriptive, correlation design used a purposive sample of 68 adolescents with sickle cell disease. Three questionnaires were used to collect the data: Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory (PBPI), Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CQS), and a demographic questionnaire. Correlation and multiple regression were used to analyze the data.


RESULTS
Appraisal factors positively correlated with coping strategies and adjustment. Multiple regression found that appraisal of the event as catastrophic predicted the reinterpretation of pain sensations (p < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Adolescents with more negative thoughts during vaso-occlusion crisis used ineffective coping strategies and reported poorer adjustment.
Fletcher
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Purdue University School of Nursing, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010146:Pain / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012803:Sick Role