title: Family Functioning and Treatment Adherence in Children and Adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis.
abstract: Background:Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most challenging pediatric illnesses for families to manage. There is, however, limited research that considers the associations between family functioning and treatment adherence in children and adolescents with CF.Methods:Nineteen children with CF (mean age=12.42 years, mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)=90.9% predicted) and their families participated in the study. Caregiver and child participants completed interview-based assessments and were then videotaped during a family mealtime.Results:Mean scores on several domains of family functioning fell in the "unhealthy" range. Better family functioning was found among older children. Better family functioning was also associated with better adherence to antibiotic treatment and worse adherence to enzymes.Conclusions:Findings suggest that family functioning may be an important correlate of treatment adherence in children and adolescents with CF. Future research should replicate these findings in larger samples of children and adolescents with CF.
authors: Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond, Virginia.
authors: Robin S
authors: RS
authors: Everhart
authors: Family Resiliency Center, Department of Human and Community Development, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Champaign, Illinois.
authors: Barbara H
authors: BH
authors: Fiese
authors: Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University , State College, Pennsylvania.
authors: Joshua M
authors: JM
authors: Smyth
authors: Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond, Virginia.
authors: Adrienne
authors: A
authors: Borschuk
authors: Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York Upstate University Hospital , Syracuse, New York.
authors: Ran D
authors: RD
authors: Anbar