Evidence-Based Treatments for Children with Chronic Illnesses

Abstract

A discussion of the use of evidence-based treatments (EBTs) in children with chronic illnesses presents a problematic but well-known dilemma. Many of the treatments for psychological distress in these children have historically been modified from better-known and validated treatments in children without chronic illness. In other words, what works in children who are not ill has been taken and modified to work with children who are ill. Any discussion of EBTs in children with chronic illness must take into consideration the work that has been done in the non-ill population. We discuss the general themes, assessments, and interventions that have been discussed in the literature. One of the main overarching themes in pediatric psychology (in which psychological applications are made with children with chronic illnesses) is that psychological difficulties are similar, regardless of setting. In order to address the use of EBTs in this population, we will discuss the use of psychological interventions in several broad illness categories, with a view toward the application of these interventions across a range of illnesses. Over the past decade, a growing number of researchers have developed and tested interventions that are specifically targeted. This has resulted in a burgeoning, if somewhat immature, literature. We attempt to highlight some of these targeted interventions in three of the most prominent disease categories in children: diabetes, cancer, and sickle cell. Overall, cognitive-behavioral interventions have shown the most promise, but what has become obvious is that targeted interventions are needed to address specific problems, especially when those problem areas are in the context of certain diseases. Future research will continue to refine this effort of identifying specific strategies for specific diseases in children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)