Mediating effects of family social support on child psychological adjustment in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Assessed the mediating effects of social support on psychological adjustment in 23 5–15 yr olds with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Data from the Family Relationships Index, Disease Activity Index, and the Child Behavior Checklist were entered into hierarchical multiple regression analyses. Family social support was a significant predictor of psychological adjustment for internalizing and externalizing behavior problems, accounting for 22% of variance in each. Findings are consistent with the stress/social-support/psychological-adjustment relationship that has received empirical attention in studies on healthy children. Implications for primary and secondary prevention efforts for chronically ill and handicapped children who are at increased risk for psychological adjustment problems are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)