Issues in Research on the Young Chronically III Child

Abstract

A major goal of research on chronic illness in children is to determine how the illness interacts with developmental processes. The child must be studied within the context of the family, the school, and the health care system. Problems in research include the use of appropriate control groups and matching on control variables. The generic, or cross-categorical, approach has led to the identification of factors affecting children regardless of particular illness. Adjustment to school depends on coordination of the family and health professionals with personnel within the school.