The impact of social constraints and sense of coherence on the psychological adjustment of adolescents and young adults with CF

Abstract

In the last two decades, the medical understanding of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) has dramatically improved, however, there are still significant gaps in our understanding of the psychological adjustment of families coping with CF. We examined the utility of the Social Cognitive Processing (SCP) Model in understanding the interactions of parents and young people with CF. We also examined the relationship between social constraints, a key construct in the SCP model, sense of coherence (SOC) and other psychological adjustment indicators for young people with CF. Participants comprised 49 individuals with CF, aged 16–25, recruited through state-based CF organisations in Australia. The results indicated that participant ratings of difficulties with communication (social constraints) were positively associated with ratings of depression, anxiety, and stress and negatively related to ratings of positive affect and seeing life challenges as predictable, manageable and meaningful (SOC). Ratings of SOC were also positively related to ratings of positive affect and negatively related to ratings of depression, anxiety and stress. A significant mediating effect of SOC was also identified in the relationships between social constraints and positive affect and social constraints and stress. The theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Keywords:

• adolescents
• communication
• cystic fibrosis
• psychological adjustment
• sense of coherence
• social cognitive processing model
• young adults

Public Interest Statement

The study examined how communication between parents and adolescents and young adults with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) impacts the psychological adjustment of young people with CF. We found that symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress in young people with CF were related to difficulties in discussing their feelings about CF with their parents. It was also found that difficulties in communication with parents were related to young people seeing life challenges as being difficult to predict and manage. These findings can be used by researchers and practitioners to assist in developing support programmes to help improve communication between parents and children in families with children with CF.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the staff of the Cystic Fibrosis associations of Queensland, Victoria and South Australia for their assistance with recruitment. We would also like to thank all of the participants for their time and effort in this study.

Additional information

Funding

Funding. The authors received no direct funding for this research.

Notes on contributors

Kaya L. Beinke

Kaya L. Beinke is a clinical psychologist who specialises in working with children and families and who supervises postgraduate research students at Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland.

Frances V. O’Callaghan

Frances V. O’Callaghan is an associate professor and undergraduate program convenor in the School of Applied Psychology at Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland.

Shirley Morrissey

Shirley Morrissey is an associate professor in the School of Applied Psychology at Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland.