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. 2012 Sep;37(8):832-42.
doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jss059. Epub 2012 May 7.

Evaluating the protective role of racial identity in children with sickle cell disease

Crystal S Lim  1 , Josie S Welkom, Lindsey L Cohen, Ifeyinwa Osunkwo
Affiliations

Evaluating the protective role of racial identity in children with sickle cell disease

Crystal S Lim et al. J Pediatr Psychol. 2012 Sep.

Abstract

Objective: This study examined whether racial identity moderates the relation between pain and quality of life (QOL) in children with sickle cell disease (SCD).

Methods: 100 children 8-18 years of age with SCD participated during a regularly scheduled medical visit. Children completed questionnaires assessing pain, QOL, and regard racial identity, which evaluates racial judgments.

Results: Analyses revealed that regard racial identity trended toward significance in moderating the pain and physical QOL relation, (β = -0.159, t(93) = -1.821, p = 0.07), where children with low pain and high regard reported greater physical QOL than children with low pain and low regard. Regard racial identity did not moderate the relation between pain and other QOL dimensions. Pain significantly predicted all dimensions of QOL and regard racial identity significantly predicted social QOL.

Conclusions: Racial identity may be important to consider in future research examining QOL in children with SCD.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Post-hoc probing of interaction between overall pain and regard racial identity on PedsQL physical score. PedsQL physical as a function of overall pain and regard 1 SD above and 1 SD below the mean in children with SCD.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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