First Advisor

Hess, Robyn S.

Document Type

Dissertation

Date Created

8-2021

Department

College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Applied Psychology and Counselor Education, APCE Student Work

Abstract

Before being listed for an organ transplant, pediatric patients and families undergo a psychosocial pre-transplant evaluation to determine familial strengths and risk factors that may impact the success of transplant. Adherence is considered to be one of the primary factors in the survival of the transplanted organ and existing research has suggested a link between parental functioning and post-transplant adherence. To better understand the relationship between parental mental health and perceived barriers to adherence, this study examined whether parental symptoms of anxiety and depression significantly predicted parent and patient perceived barriers to adherence in the pre-transplant phase (n=65 parents and n=55 patients). Results of linear regression analyses indicated parental depression significantly predicted parent perceived barriers to adherence. This study underscored the importance of assessing parental depression in the pre-transplant evaluation and suggested that facilitating interventions to support adherence and patient and family functioning was important throughout the transplant process

Keywords

Pediatric Organ Transplant; Pre-transplant Evaluation; Adherence; Parental Anxiety; Parental Depression; Perceived Barriers

Extent

121 pages

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author.

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