Caregiver models of self and others, coping, and depression: predictors of depression in children with chronic pain.
In a sample of 59 chronically ill pediatric patients and their maternal caregivers, both child-reported pain and caregiver-reported depression predicted child-reported depression. Results further suggested that the association between pain and depression in children is ameliorated by caregiver coping strategies and that how caregivers cope is a function of their attachment-related representations of the self and others. Caregivers with a negative model of the self were more depressed. and those with a negative model of others were more prone to use avoidant coping strategies, and, in turn, to be more depressed. However, the extent to which caregivers with negative models of self used more avoidant and less approach coping appeared to depend on whether they perceived that others were likely to respond to their needs.
Williamson
Gail M
GM
Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens 30602-3013, USA. lgmw@arches.uga.edu
Walters
Andrew S
AS
Shaffer
David R
DR
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D009769:Object Attachment; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D010552:Personality Assessment