A longitudinal examination of the parent-child distress relationship in children with juvenile rheumatic disease.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the longitudinal relationships between parent and child distress in a sample of children with juvenile rheumatic diseases (JRDs).


METHODS
Cross-lagged panel correlation analysis tested the temporal precedence of parent distress versus child distress over a 1-year period.


METHODS
Thirty-seven children (ages 9-17 years; 22 girls) diagnosed with JRD and their parents completed self-report measures on 2 occasions (assessment interval M = 12 months).


METHODS
Child Depression Inventory and Brief Symptom Inventory.


RESULTS
Significant cross-sectional parent-child distress associations were observed at both time points. Moreover, Time 1 parent distress predicted child distress at Time 2 after child-reported functional ability was controlled; Time 1 child distress was unrelated to Time 2 parent distress. Cross-lagged panel correlations demonstrated the temporal precedence of parent distress relative to child distress in the parent-child distress relationship.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary findings underscore the importance of parent distress in parent-child transactional adjustment, and suggest a predominant role for parent distress in children's adjustment to JRDs.
Ryan
Jamie L
JL
Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Murray Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA. jamie.ryan@okstate.edu
Ramsey
Rachelle R
RR
Fedele
David A
DA
Mullins
Larry L
LL
Chaney
John M
JM
Jarvis
James N
JN
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological