Unique considerations when treating adolescents with chronic illness

Abstract

Adolescence is marked by significant developmental changes in virtually all aspects of life, encompassing major transformations as individuals move from childhood to adulthood. Changes associated with this era include significant internal processes (ego and identity development, changing self and body image, onset of and continued pubertal changes) and psychosocial influences (peer and family relationships, new romantic/sexual relationships). These salient developmental issues, as well as the overarching challenges represented by strivings for independence and future-oriented goals, can be made more complicated and stressful by the presence of a chronic illness-although this is not always the case. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.