A systematic review of parent and family functioning in pediatric solid organ transplant populations.
The process of pediatric solid organ transplantation (SOT) places new and increased stressors on patients and family members. Measures of family functioning may predict psychological and health outcomes for pediatric patients and their families, and provide opportunity for targeted intervention. This systematic review investigated parent and family functioning and factors associated with poorer functioning in the pediatric SOT population. Thirty-seven studies were identified and reviewed. Studies featured a range of organ populations (eg, heart, liver, kidney, lung, intestine) at various stages in the transplant process. Findings highlighted that parents of pediatric SOT populations commonly report increased stress and mental health symptoms, including posttraumatic stress disorder. Pediatric SOT is also associated with increased family stress and burden throughout the transplant process. Measures of parent and family functioning were associated with several important health-related factors, such as medication adherence, readiness for discharge, and number of hospitalizations. Overall, findings suggest that family stress and burden persists post-transplant, and parent and family functioning is associated with health-related factors in SOT, highlighting family-level functioning as an important target for future intervention.
Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.|University of Michigan Transplant Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Melissa K
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0041-0830
MK
Cousino
University of Michigan Transplant Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Kelly E
KE
Rea
Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.|University of Michigan Transplant Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Kurt R
KR
Schumacher
University of Michigan Transplant Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.|Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
John C
JC
Magee
Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.|University of Michigan Transplant Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.|Child Health Evaluation and Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Emily M
EM
Fredericks
D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D005190:Family; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D016487:Parenting; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011184:Postoperative Period; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological