TY - JOUR
T1 - Special considerations for the health care of adolescents with chronic illnesses
AU - Coupey, S. M.
AU - Cohen, M. I.
N1 - Funding Information:
Supported in part by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Grant No. 5438.
PY - 1984
Y1 - 1984
N2 - While issues of independence, sexuality, and identity are important for all adolescents, they become of particular concern for chronically ill teenagers because of the interaction of rapid developmental change in these areas with the stresses of chronic illness. Unlike adults with chronic diseases who often need to be rehabilitated so that they can function independently again and resume their sexual lives, adolescents need to be habilitated; they have no prior experience to draw on. Chronically ill children can be sheltered and protected from many stresses by their families, but as they move into the adolescent years, they must be allowed to gradually take over responsibility for their actions. This takes practice, and some mistakes are inevitable. In addition, teenagers with chronic illnesses deserve assistance to help them maximize their strengths and develop a positive self-identity. Health professionals have a significant role to play in encouraging independence, preventing adverse conseqsuences of sexual behavior, and enhancing the self-image of their chronically ill adolescent patients.
AB - While issues of independence, sexuality, and identity are important for all adolescents, they become of particular concern for chronically ill teenagers because of the interaction of rapid developmental change in these areas with the stresses of chronic illness. Unlike adults with chronic diseases who often need to be rehabilitated so that they can function independently again and resume their sexual lives, adolescents need to be habilitated; they have no prior experience to draw on. Chronically ill children can be sheltered and protected from many stresses by their families, but as they move into the adolescent years, they must be allowed to gradually take over responsibility for their actions. This takes practice, and some mistakes are inevitable. In addition, teenagers with chronic illnesses deserve assistance to help them maximize their strengths and develop a positive self-identity. Health professionals have a significant role to play in encouraging independence, preventing adverse conseqsuences of sexual behavior, and enhancing the self-image of their chronically ill adolescent patients.
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U2 - 10.1016/S0031-3955(16)34547-3
DO - 10.1016/S0031-3955(16)34547-3
M3 - Article
C2 - 6701025
AN - SCOPUS:0021241345
SN - 0031-3955
VL - 31
SP - 211
EP - 219
JO - Pediatric clinics of North America
JF - Pediatric clinics of North America
IS - 1
ER -