Social adjustment in children diagnosed with sickle cell disease: A retrospective study

Abstract

Background: Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at risk for physical, psychological, and social adjustment challenges. This study sought to investigate social adjustment and related factors in children living with SCD. Methods: Data from 32 children (50% male, mean age = 10.32 years, SD = 3.27) were retrospectively collected from a neuropsychology clinic at a tertiary care pediatric hospital. Social adjustment was measured using the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC-3) parent-proxy, withdrawal subscale, and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Generic Module Social Functioning self- and parent-proxy subscales. Other measures captured executive functioning (i.e., Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF-2) Parent Form) and non-disease-related associations with social adjustment, including number of years in Canada and family functioning (i.e., PedsQL Family Impact Module). Results: Sixteen percent of patients reported elevated social adjustment difficulties. Multiple linear regression found better family functioning [B =.48, t = 2.65, p =.016], and higher executive functioning [B = −.43, t = −2.39, p =.028] were related to higher scores on the PedsQL parent-proxy ratings of social adjustment [F(4,18) = 5.88, p =.003]. Male sex [B =.54, t = 3.08, p =.005], and having lived more years in Canada [B =.55, t = 2.81, p =.009], were related to higher PedsQL self-reported social adjustment [F(4,23) = 3.75, p =.017]. The model examining the BASC-3 withdrawal subscale was not statistically significant [F(4,16) = 1.63, p =.22]. Implications: Social adjustment in children diagnosed with SCD warrants future research to understand the influence of executive function, and non-disease-related factors, particularly focusing on sociocultural factors.