title: Applicability of the SMART Model of Transition Readiness for Sickle-Cell Disease.
abstract: This study aimed to examine the applicability of the Social-ecological Model of Adolescent and Young Adult Readiness to Transition (SMART) model for adolescents and young adults (AYA) with sickle-cell disease (SCD).
  
  
  
  14 AYA with SCD (14-24 years old) and 10 clinical experts (6-20 years of experience) completed semi-structured interviews. AYA completed brief questionnaires. Interviews were coded for themes, which were reviewed to determine their fit within the SMART model.
  
  
  
  Overall, most themes were consistent with the model (e.g., sociodemographics/culture, neurocognition/IQ, etc.). Factors related to race/culture, pain management, health-care navigation skills, societal stigma, and lack of awareness about SCD were salient for AYA with SCD.
  
  
  
  Findings suggest the SMART model may be appropriate in SCD with the consideration of disease-related stigma. This study is a step toward developing a disease-specific model of transition readiness for SCD. Future directions include the development of a measure of transition readiness for this population.
authors.affiliation: College of Psychology, sm2048@nova.edu.
authors.forename: Siddika S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Mulchan
authors.affiliation: Center for Psychological Studies, Nova Southeastern University.
authors.forename: Jessica M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Valenzuela
authors.affiliation: Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, and.
authors.forename: Lori E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Crosby
authors.affiliation: Chris Evert Children's Hospital, Broward Health Medical Center.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Diaz Pow Sang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D060305:Transition to Adult Care; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: adolescents; qualitative methods; sickle-cell disease