The differential effect of child age on the illness intrusiveness--parent distress relationship in juvenile rheumatic disease.
OBJECTIVE
Examine age-related patterns of association between parent-reported illness intrusiveness and parent distress in parents of youth with juvenile rheumatic diseases (JRDs).


METHODS
Cross-sectional multiple regression analysis tested child age as a moderator in the illness intrusiveness-distress relationship.


METHODS
Fifty-two parents of children ages 9-17 diagnosed with JRD.


METHODS
The Illness Intrusiveness Scale--Parent Version and the Brief Symptom Inventory.


RESULTS
Parent-reported illness intrusiveness demonstrated a significant main effect on distress for all parents in the sample. This was qualified by an Illness Intrusiveness x Child Age interaction. Illness intrusiveness was found to be significantly related to distress among parents of older youth, but was only marginally related to distress for parents of younger children.


CONCLUSIONS
Results are consistent with family life cycle development models of adjustment to childhood chronic illness. The clinical implications of the findings are also discussed.
Andrews
Nicole R
NR
Department of Psychology, 116 North Murray, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
Chaney
John M
JM
Mullins
Larry L
LL
Wagner
Janelle L
JL
Hommel
Kevin A
KA
Jarvis
James N
JN
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012803:Sick Role; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*