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Resiliency in Pediatric Chronic Illness: Assisting Youth at School and Home

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Resilience Interventions for Youth in Diverse Populations

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Abstract

This chapter is intended to provide the reader with a perceptive of how resiliency plays a role in youth’s adjustment and management of chronic medical conditions. We will draw upon theory and empirical research to build a case for the need for psychological evaluations and interventions to incorporate an individual and family resiliency perspective to aid youth and their families in having more positive outcomes, such as better disease control, healthier interpersonal relationships, and greater self-confidence in their own abilities. Further, youth with chronic illnesses are at particular risk for difficulties in school. Thus, we will also highlight strategies that may work to promote better school functioning. In order to demonstrate these connections, we will draw upon case examples and present data from a study focused on integrating medical, mental health, and school psychological services for adolescents with diabetes.

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Acknowledgements

The data presented in this chapter were derived from funding provided by the Institute for Mental Health Research (#2008PM803) to Michelle M. Perfect, Ph.D.

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Perfect, M.M., Frye, S.S. (2014). Resiliency in Pediatric Chronic Illness: Assisting Youth at School and Home. In: Prince-Embury, S., Saklofske, D. (eds) Resilience Interventions for Youth in Diverse Populations. The Springer Series on Human Exceptionality. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0542-3_19

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