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Cited by 729Family Support in IllnessChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional DevelopmentAdolescent and Pediatric Healthcare

Coping with chronic illness in childhood and adolescence

Open access
Compas, Bruce E., Jaser, Sarah S., Dunn, Madeleine J., Rodriguez, Erin M.·2012·Annual Review of Clinical Psychology
DOI 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032511-143108PMC PMC3319320
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Abstract

Chronic illnesses and medical conditions present millions of children and adolescents with significant stress that is associated with risk for emotional and behavioral problems and interferes with adherence to treatment regimens. We review research on the role of child and adolescent coping with stress as an important feature of the process of adaptation to illness. Recent findings support a control-based model of coping that includes primary control or active coping (efforts to act on the source of stress or one's emotions), secondary control or accommodative coping (efforts to adapt to the source of stress), and disengagement or passive coping (efforts to avoid or deny the stressor). Evidence suggests the efficacy of secondary control coping in successful adaptation to chronic illness in children and adolescents, disengagement coping is associated with poorer adjustment, and findings for primary control coping are mixed. Avenues for future research are highlighted.

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Crossref · 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032511-143108

Cites

123 of 123 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

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Claims the paper makes

0 of 164 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingnone given

    Adequate validity data exist for only some of the measures used to study children's coping with chronic illness.

    “adequate validity data have been provided for only a subset of measures that are used to study children’s coping with chronic illness.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Interpretationnone given

    Recent findings support a control-based model of coping that includes primary control/active coping, secondary control/accommodative coping, and disengagement/passive coping.

    “Recent findings support a control-based model of coping that includes primary control or active coping (efforts to act on the source of stress or one’s emotions), secondary control or accommodative coping (efforts to adapt to the source of stress), and disengagement or passive coping (efforts to avoid or deny the stressor).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The empirical studies reviewed provide valid and reliable evidence about the relationships between coping and adjustment in children and adolescents with chronic illness.
  • Interpretationnone given

    Disengagement coping is associated with poorer adjustment in children and adolescents with chronic illness.

    “disengagement coping is associated with poorer adjustment”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The empirical studies reviewed provide valid and reliable evidence about the relationships between coping and adjustment in children and adolescents with chronic illness.
    • Rests on an assumption: Findings from studies of specific chronic illnesses (e.g., cancer, diabetes, recurrent abdominal pain) generalize to children and adolescents with chronic illness more broadly.
  • Interpretationnone given

    Findings for primary control coping are mixed.

    “findings for primary control coping are mixed”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The empirical studies reviewed provide valid and reliable evidence about the relationships between coping and adjustment in children and adolescents with chronic illness.
    • Rests on an assumption: Findings from studies of specific chronic illnesses (e.g., cancer, diabetes, recurrent abdominal pain) generalize to children and adolescents with chronic illness more broadly.
  • Interpretationreasoning

    Secondary control coping is efficacious in successful adaptation to chronic illness in children and adolescents.

    “Evidence suggests the efficacy of secondary control coping in successful adaptation to chronic illness in children and adolescents”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The empirical studies reviewed provide valid and reliable evidence about the relationships between coping and adjustment in children and adolescents with chronic illness.
    • Rests on an assumption: Findings from studies of specific chronic illnesses (e.g., cancer, diabetes, recurrent abdominal pain) generalize to children and adolescents with chronic illness more broadly.
  • May combine two claims. 51
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 16

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Among 17 studies, 5 found primary control or active coping related to better adjustment, 3 found it related to poorer adjustment, and 5 found no relation with adjustment.

    “Five studies out of 17 found evidence that primary control/active coping was related to better adjustment, three found it was related to poorer adjustment, and five found no relation with adjustment.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Among 14 studies measuring disengagement or passive coping, 11 found poorer adjustment, 4 found no association, and none found better adjustment.

    “Fourteen of the studies presented in Table 1 measured disengagement/passive coping and 11 found it was related to poorer adjustment, 4 found no association with adjustment, and no studies found this type of coping was related to better adjustment.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Among 16 studies measuring secondary control or accommodative coping, 10 found better adjustment, 5 found no association, and 1 found poorer adjustment.

    “Of the 16 studies summarized in Table 1 that measured secondary control/accommodative coping, 10 found this form of coping was related to better adjustment, 5 found no association with adjustment, and only one found an association with poorer adjustment.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    Most research on children's coping with chronic illness has used cross-sectional designs with only children or parents as informants about coping and its correlates.

    “The majority of research on children’s coping with chronic illness has been limited to cross-sectional studies that rely solely on children or parents as sources of information on coping and its correlates.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Findingnone given

    Relatively little research has examined age and developmental patterns in children's coping with chronic illness.

    “relatively little research has examined age and developmental patterns in children’s coping with chronic illness.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    Chronic illnesses and medical conditions cause significant stress in millions of children and adolescents, and this stress is linked to emotional and behavioral problems and interferes with treatment adherence.

    “Chronic illnesses and medical conditions present millions of children and adolescents with significant stress that is associated with risk for emotional and behavioral problems and interferes with adherence to treatment regimens.”
    • Also stated in: § Abstract · plain
      “These illnesses and their treatment present children, adolescents and their parents with significant sources of chronic stress that can contribute to emotional and behavioral problems and can compromise adherence to treatment regimens.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The empirical studies reviewed provide valid and reliable evidence about the relationships between coping and adjustment in children and adolescents with chronic illness.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    Chronic illnesses in childhood and adolescence are both causes of significant stress and are affected by stress in other life domains.

    “Chronic illnesses in childhood and adolescence are both causes of significant stress and are affected by stress in other life domains.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Three of these four frameworks were developed and tested with children and adolescents, and two have been applied to child/adolescent coping with illness and chronic illness.

    “It is noteworthy that three of these systems were developed and tested with children and adolescents (Ayers et al. 1996; Connor-Smith et al. 2000; Walker et al. 1997) and two have been applied to child/adolescent coping with illness and chronic illness (Connor-Smith et al. 2000; Walker et al. 1997).”
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    • cites Skinner et al. 2003

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    Premisecitation

    For six of the nine measures in Blount et al. (2008), no convergent validity data were reported, and the convergent validity that was presented was limited to correlations with other self-report coping measures.

    “No convergent validity data were reported for six of these nine measures and the convergent validity that was presented was limited to correlations with other self-report measures of coping.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Blount et al. (2008)

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisenone given

    The RSQ has been used recently to study coping with diabetes, chronic pain, and cancer.

    “The RSQ has been used recently to study coping with diabetes, chronic pain, and cancer (see below).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Blount et al. (2008) presented a scholarly review of evidence-based measures of coping in pediatric psychology.

    “A scholarly review of evidence-based measures of coping in pediatric psychology was recently presented by Blount et al. (2008).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Blount et al. 2008

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    Premisecitation

    All three types of cancer-related stress were experienced as moderately to highly stressful and with relatively high frequency for children.

    “Based on both children’s and parents’ reports, all three types of stress were experienced as moderately to highly stressful and with relatively high frequency for children (Rodriguez et al. 2011, in press).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Rodriguez et al. 2011, in press

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Current perspectives on coping during childhood and adolescence emphasize the distinction between controlled and automatic processes.

    “Current perspectives on coping during childhood and adolescence emphasize the distinction between controlled and automatic processes (Compas et al. 2001; Eisenberg et al. 1997; Skinner et al. 2003; see Rudolph et al. 1995, for an earlier discussion of this distinction).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Compas et al. 2001

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    • cites Eisenberg et al. 1997

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    • cites Skinner et al. 2003

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  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Chronic illnesses present children, adolescents and their parents with acute stress at diagnosis followed by long-term chronic stress.

    “Thus, chronic illnesses present children, adolescents and their parents with the acute stress of a diagnosis followed by long-term chronic stress.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The empirical studies reviewed provide valid and reliable evidence about the relationships between coping and adjustment in children and adolescents with chronic illness.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Blount et al. included general self-report measures of coping, self-report measures of coping with pain, and observational measures of coping with pain.

    “Blount et al. included general self-report measures of coping (e.g., the Kidcope; Spirito et al. 1988), self-report measures of coping with pain (e.g., the Pediatric Pain Coping Inventory; Varni et al. 1996), and observational measures of coping with pain (e.g., the Child Adult Medical Procedure Interaction Scale; Blount et al. 1989).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Blount et al. 2008

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The PRI is a pain-specific measure of coping guided by a three-factor model of active, accommodative, and passive coping.

    “The PRI is a pain-specific measure of coping that was guided by a three-factor model that includes active, accommodative, and passive coping (Walker et al. 1997).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Walker et al. 1997

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The multidimensional model of control and coping by Rudolph et al. (1995) remains central to understanding successful adaptation to chronic illness in childhood and adolescence.

    “In a seminal review of children’s coping with medical stressors, Rudolph, Dennig and Weisz (1995) presented a multidimensional model of control and coping that remains central to understanding successful adaptation to chronic illness in childhood and adolescence.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Rudolph et al. 1995

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    Premisecitation

    The RSQ and PRI differ in focus: the RSQ is adaptable to specific stressors, while the PRI is exclusively for pain.

    “On the other hand, the PRI and RSQ differ in their focus, as the RSQ is designed to be adapted to specific stressors or domains of stress whereas the PRI is intended exclusively to assess coping with pain.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Connor-Smith et al. 2000

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    • cites Walker et al. 1997

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Coping responses are controlled and volitional, whereas automatic stress responses are temperamentally based and conditioned.

    “Coping responses, in contrast, are controlled and volitional in nature—the things that children and adolescents purposefully do to manage and adapt to stress.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Compas et al. 2001

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    • cites Eisenberg et al. 1997

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    Premisecitation

    The RSQ yielded three independent coping factors with no cross-loading subscales, while the PRI includes four passive coping subscales that cross-load on active and accommodative coping.

    “In addition, the results of several confirmatory factor analyses with the RSQ yielded three independent coping factors with no subscales that cross-loaded (e.g., Connor-Smith et al. 2000; Yao et al. 2010), while the PRI includes four subscales of passive coping that cross-load on active and accommodative coping (Walker et al. 1997).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Connor-Smith et al. 2000

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    • cites Yao et al. 2010

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    • cites Walker et al. 1997

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The RSQ was developed to assess primary control engagement coping, secondary control engagement coping, disengagement coping, and automatic engagement and disengagement stress responses.

    “The RSQ was developed to assess primary control engagement coping, secondary control engagement coping, and disengagement coping, as well as automatic engagement and disengagement stress responses that do not reflect coping (Connor-Smith et al. 2000).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Connor-Smith et al. 2000

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In diabetes research, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is the gold standard physiological outcome, providing objective criteria of metabolic control over the most recent 8-12 weeks and is routinely measured quarterly in patients with T1D.

    “For example, in diabetes research, the gold standard physiological outcome is glycated hemoglobin (hemoglobin A1C), which provides objective criteria of metabolic control over the most recent 8–12 weeks and is routinely measured quarterly in patients with T1D (DCCT Research Group 1986).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites DCCT Research Group 1986

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Jaser & White (2011) found that primary control coping was related to better self- and parent-reported social competence, better QOL, and lower HbA1c values in adolescents with T1D.

    “In their sample, the use of primary control coping strategies was related to better self- and parent-reported social competence, better QOL, and lower HbA1c values.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Jaser & White (2011)

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    Premisecitation

    Jaser & White (2011) found that secondary control coping was related to better parent-reported social competence and QOL but not to HbA1c.

    “The use of secondary control coping was also related to better parent-reported social competence and QOL, but it was not related to HbA1c.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Jaser & White 2011

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    Premisecitation

    Wiebe et al. (2003) found that adolescents who perceived their mothers as uninvolved had poorer adherence and poorer metabolic control, while those who perceived their mothers as collaborative had better adherence and metabolic control.

    “Adolescents who perceived their mothers as uninvolved had poorer adherence and poorer metabolic control, but those who perceived their mothers as collaborative had better adherence and metabolic control (Wiebe et al. 2003).”
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    • cites Wiebe et al. 2003

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    Premisecitation

    Hanson et al. (1994) found that a coping factor labeled 'utilizing personal and interpersonal resources' was not associated with adherence or HbA1c levels, while 'ventilation/avoidance' coping was related to poorer adherence but not to HbA1c levels.

    “For example, Hanson et al. (1994) found that a coping factor labeled “utilizing personal and interpersonal resources” was not associated with adherence or levels of HbA1c, while “ventilation/avoidance” coping was related to poorer adherence but not to HbA1c levels.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Hanson et al. (1994)

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    Premisecitation

    Edgar & Skinner (2003) found that use of cognitive restructuring was associated with less depression and greater positive well-being in adolescents with T1D.

    “They found that the use of cognitive restructuring, a type of secondary control coping, was associated with less depression and greater positive well-being.”
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    • cites Edgar & Skinner 2003

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    Premisecitation

    Jaser & White (2011) found that disengagement coping was related to lower self-reported social competence and higher HbA1c values.

    “On the other hand, disengagement coping was related to lower self-reported social competence and higher HbA1c values (Jaser & White 2011).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Jaser & White 2011

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    Premisecitation

    Walker et al. (1997) found that accommodative coping was related to lower pain, whereas four studies found no association between this scale and adjustment in children and adolescents with RAP, and one study found that accommodative coping was related to higher somatic symptoms.

    “Walker et al. (1997) found that accommodative coping was related to lower levels of pain, whereas four studies found no association between this scale and indicators of adjustment in children and adolescents with RAP (Kaczynski et al. 2011; Shirkey et al. 2011; Walker et al. 2005, 2007) and one study found that accommodative coping was related to higher levels of somatic symptoms (Simons et al. 2”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Walker et al. (1997)

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    • cites Kaczynski et al. 2011

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    • cites Simons et al. 2008

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    Premisecitation

    Early studies of coping in youth with T1D relied primarily on approach-avoidance and problem- and emotion-focused models and often failed to find a relationship between approach/avoidance coping and metabolic control.

    “Early studies of coping in youth with T1D relied primarily on approach-avoidance and problem- and emotion-focused models of coping. These studies often failed to find a relationship between approach/avoidance coping and metabolic control (e.g., Hanson et al. 1989; Reid et al. 1994).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Hanson et al. 1989

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    • cites Reid et al. 1994

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    Interpretationreasoning

    In studies of adolescents with T1D, it is likely that adolescents reported on coping with both controllable and uncontrollable aspects of the illness, and therefore both primary and secondary control coping strategies may be adaptive.

    “In these studies, it is likely that adolescents were reporting on how they coped with both the controllable and uncontrollable aspects of the illness, and therefore, both primary and secondary control coping strategies may be adaptive.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Reid et al. found that higher approach and lower avoidance coping were associated with better adherence to the diabetes treatment regimen, but neither approach nor avoidance coping was related to HbA1c levels.

    “Reid et al. used a measure of coping that was divided into two factors: approach and avoidance. They found that higher levels of approach and lower levels of avoidance coping were associated with better adherence to the diabetes treatment regimen, but that neither approach or avoidance coping was related to elevated HbA1c levels.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Reid et al.

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    Premisecitation

    Active coping on the PRI was related to poorer adjustment in two studies and not related to adjustment in four studies.

    “Active coping on the PRI was related to poorer adjustment in two studies (Simons et al. 2008; Walker et al. 1997) and not related to adjustment in four studies (Kaczynski et al. 2011; Shirkey et al. 2011; Walker et al. 2005, 2007).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Simons et al. 2008

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    • cites Walker et al. 1997

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    • cites Kaczynski et al. 2011

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    Premisecitation

    Thomsen et al. (2002) found that primary control was related to lower symptoms of anxiety and depression but higher levels of pain, while three studies found no association between primary control coping and adjustment in children with RAP.

    “Thomsen et al. (2002) found that primary control was related to lower symptoms of anxiety and depression but higher levels of pain, while three studies found no association between primary control coping and adjustment in children with RAP (Compas et al. 2006; Dufton et al. 2011; Hocking et al. 2011).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Thomsen et al. (2002)

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    • cites Compas et al. 2006

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    • cites Dufton et al. 2011

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    Premisecitation

    Disengagement coping has been associated with higher levels of somatic complaints and anxiety/depression in two studies but unrelated to measures of adjustment in two other studies.

    “Disengagement coping (e.g., denial, avoidance, wishful thinking) has been associated with higher levels of somatic complaints and anxiety/depression in two studies (Compas et al. 2006; Thomsen et al. 2002) but unrelated to measures of adjustment in two other studies (Dufton et al. 2011; Hocking et al. 2011).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Compas et al. 2006

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    • cites Thomsen et al. 2002

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    • cites Dufton et al. 2011

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    Premisecitation

    Aldridge & Roesch (2007) meta-analysis found that only one of 24 effect sizes relating four broad types of coping to six domains of adjustment was statistically significant; that significant association was between emotion-focused coping and lower symptoms of depression.

    “Only one of the 24 effect sizes was statistically significant; i.e., there was a significant association of emotion-focused coping and lower symptoms of depression. Thus, 23 of 24 effect sizes for these four types of coping were non-significant.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Aldridge & Roesch 2007

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    • Rests on an assumption: The self-report measures of coping used in the reviewed studies accurately reflect children's and adolescents' actual coping efforts.
    • Rests on an assumption: The different coping measures used across the reviewed studies assess sufficiently comparable constructs to allow synthesis of their findings.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Based on prior work suggesting that children with pediatric cancer show similar or lower depression and higher denial coping and repressive personality style than healthy controls, Phipps & Srivastava (1997) examined self-reported coping, personality style, and depressive symptoms in children with cancer and healthy controls.

    “For example, based on some work suggesting that children with pediatric cancer show similar or lower levels of depression and higher levels of denial coping and “repressive” personality style than healthy controls (e.g., Canning et al. 1992; Worchel et al. 1987), Phipps & Srivastava (1997) examined self-reported coping, personality style, and depressive symptoms in a sample of 107 children ages 7–”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Canning et al. 1992

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    • cites Worchel et al. 1987

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    • cites Phipps & Srivastava 1997

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    Premisecitation

    Phipps & Srivastava (1997) found that children with cancer reported lower levels of depression and trait anxiety than controls, and higher levels of avoidant coping than controls.

    “The results indicated that children with cancer reported lower levels of depression and trait anxiety than controls, and higher levels of avoidant coping than controls.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Phipps & Srivastava (1997)

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The relatively inconsistent pattern of findings may be due to limitations in the use of the problem vs. emotion-focused and approach vs. avoidance distinctions.

    “The relatively inconsistent pattern of findings may be due to limitations in the use of the problem vs. emotion-focused and approach vs. avoidance distinctions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    At 6 months to 1 year after diagnosis, problem-focused coping was associated with poorer adjustment, and emotion-focused coping was associated with better adjustment at 2-3 years and 3-4 years after diagnosis.

    “At 6 months to a year after diagnosis, problem-focused coping was associated with poorer adjustment, and emotion focused coping was associated with better adjustment at 2–3 years and 3–4 years after diagnosis.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Aldridge & Roesch 2007

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    Premisecitation

    At 6 months to 1 year after diagnosis, approach coping was associated with poorer adjustment, but at 4-5 years post-diagnosis this type of coping was associated with better adjustment.

    “For example, at 6 months to 1 year after diagnosis, approach coping was associated with poorer adjustment, but at 4–5 years post-diagnosis this type of coping was associated with better adjustment.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Aldridge & Roesch 2007

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationcitation

    The identification of coping profiles may provide a more nuanced approach to understanding complex patterns of children's coping.

    “The identification of coping profiles may provide a more nuanced approach to understanding complex patterns of children’s coping.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In adolescent survivors of pediatric leukemia, primary and secondary control coping were associated with fewer emotional and behavioral problems, while higher disengagement coping was associated with more such problems.

    “Primary and secondary control coping were negatively correlated with more emotional and behavioral problems in survivors, while higher levels of disengagement coping were positively correlated with more emotional and behavioral problems.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Campbell et al. (2009)

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    Interpretationcitation

    Primary and secondary control coping are related to fewer symptoms of psychological distress, consistent with findings in other populations.

    “The results of Miller et al. (2009) support findings with other populations that primary and secondary control coping are related to fewer symptoms of psychological distress.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Miller et al. (2009)

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    Premisecitation

    In children and adolescents with cancer, behavioral control coping was significantly associated with more self-reported depressive symptoms and somatic complaints and with nurses reporting poorer adjustment.

    “children and adolescents’ reports of behavioral control coping strategies were significantly related to more self-reported depressive symptoms and somatic complaints and nurses’ reports of poorer adjustment.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Worchel et al. (1987)

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    Premisecitation

    In children with cancer, primary and secondary control coping were significantly negatively related to anxiety, depression, and negative affectivity, whereas disengagement coping was not.

    “Primary and secondary control coping were significantly negatively related to anxiety, depression, and negative affectivity, while disengagement coping was not.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Miller et al. (2009)

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    Premisecitation

    Primary control coping and secondary control coping each mediated the association between negative affectivity and depression.

    “primary and secondary control coping each mediated the association between negative affectivity and depression”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Miller et al. (2009)

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    Interpretationcitation

    Secondary control coping is an important predictor of emotional and behavioral problems in survivors, and poorer executive functioning may reduce survivors' ability to use secondary control coping, increasing their risk for such problems.

    “These results suggest that secondary control coping is an important predictor of emotional and behavioral problems in survivors, and that poorer executive functioning may affect survivors’ ability to use secondary control coping, putting them at greater risk for emotional and behavioral problems”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Campbell et al. (2009)

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    Premisecitation

    In children and adolescents with cancer, decisional control coping was related to better adjustment, including nurses reporting better adjustment and parents reporting fewer internalizing and externalizing symptoms.

    “Decisional control strategies, however, were significantly related to nurses’ reports of better adjustment and to parents’ reports of fewer internalizing and externalizing symptoms.”
    • Also stated in: § Coping with cancer · boosted
      “Decisional control strategies were consistently related to better adjustment”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Worchel et al. (1987)

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    Premisecitation

    A coping skills training intervention for adolescents with type 1 diabetes has positive effects on quality of life and metabolic control.

    “It has been shown to have positive effects on both quality of life and metabolic control (Grey et al. 2000).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Grey et al. 2000

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Avoidance, denial, and wishful thinking do not help regulate emotional distress effectively and may disrupt engagement coping aimed at adjusting to uncontrollable stress.

    “The use of avoidance, denial, and wishful thinking do not facilitate effective regulation of emotional distress and further may disrupt or derail engagement coping strategies aimed at adjusting to uncontrollable stress.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease, the PASCET-PI group showed greater improvement than the comparison group in depressive symptoms, global functioning, and perceived control at posttreatment.

    “The PASCET-PI group showed significantly greater improvement in children’s depressive symptoms (based on child and parent report), children’s global functioning, and increased perceptions of control at posttreatment than the comparison group.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Szigethy et al. (2007)

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Recent meta-analyses have found significant cognitive impairment in survivors of leukemia, brain and CNS tumors, type 1 diabetes, congenital heart disease, and sickle cell disease.

    “recent meta-analyses have documented significant cognitive impairment in survivors of leukemia (Campbell et al. 2007), brain and CNS tumors (Robinson et al. 2010), type 1 diabetes (Naguib et al. 2009), congenital heart disease (Karsorp et al. 2007), and sickle cell disease (Schatz et al. 2002).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Campbell et al. 2007

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Robinson et al. 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Naguib et al. 2009

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In children with leukemia, higher primary and secondary control coping were correlated with better executive functioning, while disengagement coping was correlated with poorer executive functioning.

    “in a study of children with leukemia, Campbell et al. (2009) found that higher levels of primary and secondary control coping, as measured by composite self- and parent-report on the RSQ, were correlated with better executive functioning (e.g., working memory, cognitive flexibility, and self-monitoring), while disengagement coping was correlated with poorer executive functioning.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Campbell et al. (2009)

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Children's ability to use complex coping strategies such as cognitive reappraisal and acceptance may depend on healthy prefrontal cortex development, and these brain regions may be vulnerable to disease and treatment.

    “The ability of children to use some of the complex coping strategies, such as cognitive reappraisal and acceptance, may depend on the healthy development of regions of the prefrontal cortex and these brain regions may be vulnerable to disease and treatment processes (Compas, 2006).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Compas, 2006

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Active or primary control strategies such as problem solving may fit some stressors, such as missing school or treatment changes, but fit poorly with others, such as feeling different from peers.

    “It is possible that active or primary control strategies such as problem solving represent a good fit for some sources of stress, such as problems related to missing school or changes in treatment regimen, and a poor fit to others, such as feeling different from peers.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In youth with recurrent abdominal pain, the ability to use selective attention made them more likely to use secondary control coping for abdominal pain, which reduced anxiety.

    “Hocking and colleagues (2011) measured executive function and attention regulation in youth with RAP and found that children’s ability to use selective attention made them more likely to use secondary control coping strategies to cope with abdominal pain, thereby reducing anxiety.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Hocking and colleagues (2011)

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Brain-development impairments that hinder effective coping skills could further increase the risk of emotional and behavioral problems in children with chronic illness.

    “impairments in brain development that impede the development of effective coping skills could further compound their risk for emotional and behavioral problems.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Recent preventive intervention studies provide promising evidence that interventions can improve children's coping skills and that these changes mediate mental health outcomes in high-risk populations.

    “Findings from recent studies with preventive interventions have provided promising evidence that interventions can improve children’s coping skills and that these changes are important mediators of mental health outcomes in high-risk populations (Compas et al. 2010; Tein et al. 2004, 2006).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Compas et al. 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Tein et al. 2004, 2006

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    Some studies suggest adolescents may use more cognitive control coping and secondary control coping, possibly because these strategies require greater cognitive resources.

    “some studies have suggested that adolescents may use more cognitive control coping strategies (Worchel et al., 1987) and secondary control coping (Weisz et al., 1994), which may be due to the cognitive resources needed to employ these types of coping strategies.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Worchel et al., 1987

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Weisz et al., 1994

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In children with asthma, greater secondary control coping at baseline was related to greater increases in peak expiratory flow rate and a greater likelihood of physician contact over the next year.

    “greater secondary control coping at baseline was related to greater increases in peak expiratory flow rate, an important marker of pulmonary function, and a greater likelihood of physician contact over the following year.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Schreier & Chen (2008)

      Not checked in the free run.

61 of 61

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The empirical studies reviewed provide valid and reliable evidence about the relationships between coping and adjustment in children and adolescents with chronic illness.

    “Recent findings support a control-based model of coping that includes primary control or active coping (efforts to act on the source of stress or one’s emotions), secondary control or accommodative coping (efforts to adapt to the source of stress), and disengagement or passive coping (efforts to avoid or deny the stressor).”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Findings from studies of specific chronic illnesses (e.g., cancer, diabetes, recurrent abdominal pain) generalize to children and adolescents with chronic illness more broadly.

    “Evidence suggests the efficacy of secondary control coping in successful adaptation to chronic illness in children and adolescents”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The self-report measures of coping used in the reviewed studies accurately reflect children's and adolescents' actual coping efforts.

    “However, little or no data have been reported that directly address this issue.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The different coping measures used across the reviewed studies assess sufficiently comparable constructs to allow synthesis of their findings.

    “Four studies using the RSQ have shown that secondary control coping (e.g., acceptance, cognitive reappraisal, distraction) is associated with lower levels of somatic complaints and symptoms of anxiety and depression (Compas et al. 2006; Dufton et al. 2011; Hocking et al. 2011; Thomsen et al. 2002).”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Childhood chronic illnesses are a significant source of stress for the ill child, siblings, and parents.

    “Childhood illnesses represent significant stress for affected children, their siblings and their parents.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Chronic illnesses affect people continuously across development from early childhood through adolescence.

    “Chronic illnesses affect individuals over the course of development from early childhood through adolescence.”
6 of 6

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Engaged coping is more effective for good psychosocial adjustment, including anxiety and depression, than disengaged or passive coping.

    “Engaged coping (e.g., problem solving, cognitive restructuring) is proven to be more effective for good psychosocial adjustment, including anxiety and depression, than disengaged or passive coping (e.g., self-criticism, social withdrawal; Compas et al., 2012; Edgar & Skinner, 2003).”

    From Online psychosocial group intervention for parents: Positive effects on anxiety and depression. (2021) · cites this paper as Compas et al., 2012

    The Empirical Findings section (page unavailable) reports that secondary-control or accommodative coping was generally associated with better adjustment, while disengagement or passive coping was generally associated with poorer adjustment. But it describes findings for active coping, including problem solving, as inconsistent; one cancer study found no significant association between approach coping and adjustment. The source therefore does not establish that engaged coping as a whole is proven more effective, including for anxiety and depression. (LLM, conf=0.89)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Acceptance is related to a good adjustment to chronic illness.

    “This way of coping with adversity is more and more acknowledged to be related to a good adjustment to chronic illness [17-22].”

    From Cognitive behavior therapy in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: The role of illness acceptance and neuroticism. (2013) · cites this paper as [17]

    In the Empirical Findings section (Coping with cancer; page unavailable), the review links secondary-control coping to better adjustment and identifies acceptance as one strategy within it. The evidence concerns children and adolescents and does not establish the same association for acceptance alone or for people with chronic illness generally. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Acceptance is associated with better mental health-related quality of life (MQoL) in chronic illnesses including CFS.

    “cross-sectional studies indicate that acceptance plays a role in adjustment to chronic illnesses, amongst which CFS and that acceptance has been found to be associated with a better mental health-related quality of life (MQoL) [17, 27, 29-31].”

    From Cognitive behavior therapy in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: The role of illness acceptance and neuroticism. (2013) · cites this paper as [17]

    In the Empirical Findings section (page unavailable), the review associates secondary-control or accommodative coping—which includes acceptance—with better adjustment to chronic illness in children and adolescents. It does not establish the more specific association between acceptance and mental health-related quality of life, or report that finding for CFS. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • The continued expression of strong emotions or feelings, like anger, love through closeness and sexual intimacy, is identified as important for patients with MND.

    “The continued expression of strong emotions or feelings, like anger, love through closeness and sexual intimacy was identified as important (1, 7, 13, 16, 20).”

    From Patients experiences of maintaining mental well-being and hope within motor neuron disease: a thematic synthesis (2015) · cites this paper as [13]

  • Much of these strategies could be considered within secondary control or accommodative coping, which includes adapting to stress by reappraisal, acceptance, distraction and positive thinking, and to a lesser extent passive or disengagement coping, which includes ways to avoid stress.

    “Much of these strategies could be considered within secondary control or accommodative coping which includes adapting to stress by reappraisal, acceptance, distraction and positive thinking and, to a lesser extent, passive or disengagement coping which includes ways to avoid stress (Compas et al., 2012).”

    From Patients experiences of maintaining mental well-being and hope within motor neuron disease: a thematic synthesis (2015) · cites this paper as Compas et al., 2012

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

  • Disengagement coping counts do not sum to total studies

    Major

    The paper says 14 studies measured disengagement/passive coping, with 11 finding poorer adjustment, 4 finding no association, and 0 finding better adjustment. Those outcomes sum to 15, which cannot come from 14 studies.

    Reported 14 · recomputed 15

  • Primary-control coping counts do not add up

    Major

    The summary says five studies found primary control coping related to better adjustment, three found it related to poorer adjustment, and five found no relation, all out of 17 studies. These counts sum to 13, not 17, so four studies are unaccounted for.

    Reported 17 · recomputed 13

  • Primary-control outcome counts leave four studies unaccounted for

    Minor

    The three reported outcome counts total 13, not the stated 17 studies. The text does not account for the remaining four.

    Reported 17 · recomputed 13

  • Disengagement study counts exceed the stated total

    Minor

    The reported outcome categories add up to 15 studies, but the paragraph says 14 studies measured disengagement or passive coping.

    Reported 14 · recomputed 15

4 of 4

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Achenbach TM, 2001, Manual for the ASEBA School-Age Forms and Profiles
  2. Skinner EA, 1994, Lifespan Development and Behavior, 12, 91

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Compas, B. E., Jaser, S. S., Dunn, M. J., & Rodriguez, E. M.
Affiliations
  • Vanderbilt University (US)
  • Yale University (US)
  • Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37203;
ORCID
Venue
Annual Review of Clinical Psychology
Publisher
Annual Reviews
Published
2012-04-27
Volume
8
Issue
1
Pages
455-480
ISSN
  • 1548-5943 (ISSN-L)
  • 1548-5951
DOI
10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032511-143108
PMC
PMC3319320
OpenAlex
W2118491250
Semantic Scholar
31ae5538d20b310e981b7e9e0e7daf4097d736ee
Cited by
723
References
121
Citations by year
2026: 42 · 2025: 73 · 2024: 56 · 2023: 52 · 2022: 64 · 2021: 80 · 2020: 56 · 2019: 58 · 2018: 60 · 2017: 51 · 2016: 47 · 2015: 40 · 2014: 28 · 2013: 14
FWCI
14.05
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Annual Review of Clinical Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute of Mental Health (F31MH087059)
  • National Cancer Institute (R01CA118332, F31CA136284)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (K23DK088454, K23 DK88454)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Family Support in Illness
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Speech and Hearing › Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare
Keywords
chronic disease, children, adolescents, coping, stress, adaptation to illness, primary control, secondary control, disengagement, emotional and behavioral problems, medication adherence, psychological adjustment
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Adolescent, Child, Chronic Disease, Emotions, Humans, Stress, Psychological

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-09-28.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-09-28.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

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