Stress and Coping in Child Health

Until recently, much of the literature on stress and coping in children was based primarily on conceptual and theoretical models developed for adults. Researchers now recognize the importance of assessing children's responses within a developmental context. This volume, the first in a new series sponsored by the Society of Pediatric Psychology, presents an in-depth examination of current research on pediatric stress and coping and its implications for clinical practice.
With contributions from experts at the forefront of pediatric and child health psychology, the volume is divided into three sections. The first two focus on various aspects of research, while the third discusses clinical applications. Each section opens with an in-depth introduction by the editors.
Part I, addressing conceptual, developmental, and methodological issues, also covers the role of temperament in understanding coping with pediatric conditions; psychophysiological aspects of stress; and the relevance of taking into account contextual factors in children's coping responses. Part II focuses on the coping responses of both children and their families faced with either specific medical stressors (invasive medical procedures, anesthesia induction, dental procedures), or chronic illnesses such as diabetes or cancer. Several chapters demonstrate the use of conceptual, multivariate approaches for working with chronic pediatric conditions. Chapters in Part III report on empirically based procedures for clinical intervention. Approaches discussed include: biologically oriented procedures; cognitive and behavioral coping strategies for stressful situations related to chronic illness; and a variety of cognitive, modeling, and environmental coping strategies for children undergoing acutely aversive medical procedures. In addition, this section includes a chapter that illuminates how a sophisticated understanding of context can significantly improve the chances of an intervention's successful outcome.
Bringing the reader up-to-date on the latest developments, this volume is an invaluable resource for all researchers in the field of pediatric psychology, and an ideal reference for clinicians and physicians who confront the issues of stress and coping in working with children.

Annettte M. La Greca PhD., Dept. of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida.