Family cohesion and expressiveness promote resilience to the stress of pediatric bone marrow transplant: A preliminary report

Author(s): Mulhern, R. K.

Journal/Book: J Develop Behav Pediat. 1995; 16: 351 West Camden St, Baltimore, MD 21201-2436. Williams & Wilkins. 257-263.

Abstract: The effect of perceived family environment as a determinant of adjustment in children undergoing bone marrow transplant (BMT) was assessed in a prospective, longitudinal study. Measures of patients' social competence, behavior problems, and self-esteem, along with perceived family conflict, cohesion, and expressiveness, were obtained before hospital admission for BMT and again in the period 6 to 12 months post-BMT. Significant declines were observed in post-BMT social competence and overall self-concept. Before BMT, perceptions of family conflict showed a moderate inverse correlation with patient adjustment, whereas family cohesion and expressiveness were unrelated or were weakly related with adjustment measures. In contrast, all pre-BMT family environment variables were highly predictive of adjustment post-BMT. Using a cross-lagged correlational approach, it was determined that perceived family cohesion and expressiveness act as protective factors, promoting resilience to the stresses of BMT, whereas family conflict acts directly as a risk factor that adversely affects adjustment regardless of stress level.

Note: Article S Phipps, St Jude Childrens Hosp, Div Behav Med, 332 N Lauderdale, POB 318, Memphis, TN 38101 USA

Keyword(s): bone marrow transplant; adjustment; resilience; stress; coping; family function; CHILDREN; COMPETENCE; CHILDHOOD; CANCER; LEUKEMIA; ISSUES; PSYCHOPATHOLOGY; ADJUSTMENT; RESPONSES

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