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Purpose: This study explored three-year trajectories of social anxiety symptoms among youth with chronic health conditions and investigated factors influencing those trajectories. Methods: Participants (N = 439) were recruited from eight pediatric rehabilitation centers. The Social Anxiety Scale for Children-Revised measured social anxiety across four time points. Latent Class Growth Analysis was used to study trajectories and logistic regression to identify related factors. Results: A three-class solution was supported: a "high anxiety and stable" group (17.1%), a "moderate anxiety and stable" group (44.4%), and a "low anxiety and stable" group (38.5%). Youth in the "moderate and stable" group were less likely to be male compared to the "low and stable" group. Youth in the "high and stable" group were more likely to have greater cognitive symptoms and less likely to have higher levels of social participation compared to the "low and stable" group. Youth in both the "high and stable" and "moderate and stable" groups were less likely to have high support from classmates or close friends compared to the "low and stable" group. Moreover, both the "high and stable" and "moderate and stable" groups were less likely to have positive family functioning. Conclusion: Youth with chronic conditions belonging to "high and stable" and "moderate and stable" social anxiety trajectories can be distinguished from those in a "low and stable" trajectory using personal, functional, and environmental level variables. Youth with chronic health conditions are at risk of developing and maintaining moderate to high levels of social anxiety symptoms as they move through adolescence. Compared to youth with "low and stable" social anxiety, those with "moderate and stable" social anxiety are less likely to be male, have high peer support or high family functioning. Compared to youth with "low and stable" social anxiety, those with "high and stable" social anxiety are more likely to have greater cognitive symptoms, and less likely to have high social participation, high peer support, or high family functioning. Rehabilitation and other professionals should not only consider factors that are functional in nature; they should also consider personal and environmental level factors when supporting youth with chronic health conditions who experience social anxiety symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study investigated the association between mothers’ mental health and education and the emotional and behavioural functioning of adolescents with chronic health conditions over time.Methods: Data were drawn from an ongoing study. Study participants (N = 363) were recruited through eight children’s rehabilitation centres. Logistic regression models were estimated.Results: There were significantly reduced odds that girls would display clinical signs of hyperactivity/inattention one year later compared to boys when a maternal mental health condition was present (OR = 0.10;p < 0.01). Where low maternal education was present, girls were more likely to display peer relationship problems one year later (OR = 3.72;p < 0.01). For both genders, having a mother with less than a high school education was also associated with conduct problems one year later (OR = 2.89;p < 0.01).Conclusions: Findings support a link between maternal factors and emotional and behavioural functioning in adolescents with chronic conditions. A holistic and family-centred approach to assessment and service delivery is indicated.Implications for RehabilitationWhen conducting clinical assessments, service providers should consider associations between maternal education and mental health and the emotional and behavioural functioning of adolescents with chronic health conditions.A holistic and family-centred approach to assessment and service delivery is indicated to ensure adolescents with chronic conditions and their families receive support for interrelated needs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose: To explore International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)-based functional components and contextual factors associated with perceived quality of life (QOL) for youth with chronic conditions from the perspective of youth and parents. Method: Baseline data were obtained from a longitudinal study examining predictors of changes in perceived QOL for youth with chronic conditions. 439 youth aged 11-17 (and one of their parents) completed a questionnaire. Standardized tools were used to measure youth functioning, contextual factors and perceived QOL. Multivariate linear regression analyses, controlling for socio-demographic and health information, were conducted to explore correlations among youth functioning/contextual factors and youth and parent perceptions of youth QOL. Results: Significant ( p ≤ 0.05) negative correlates with both youth and parent perceptions of youth QOL included pain/other physical symptoms and emotional symptoms. Significant factors positively correlated with youth and parent perceptions of youth QOL included school productivity and spirituality. Other significant positive correlates of youth perspectives were family social support and school belongingness/safety. Family functioning was positively correlated, and youth social anxiety and environmental barriers were negatively correlated, with parent perceptions of youth QOL. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence of factors upon which services aimed at improving perceived QOL of youth with chronic conditions could be based. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]