Date of Graduation

2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Committee Chair

Christina L Duncan

Committee Co-Chair

Amy Gentzler

Committee Member

Elisa Krackow

Abstract

Adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF) demonstrate relatively poor treatment adherence in comparison to other age groups, which can lead to adverse health outcomes. Though previous research has examined various factors associated with treatment adherence in pediatric CF samples, no studies to date have explored the interrelations among self-efficacy, parental style, level of responsibility for CF care, and treatment adherence in this population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the role of self-efficacy, parental style, and level of responsibility for CF care in predicting treatment adherence in adolescents with CF. A sample of 59 adolescents with CF (M age =15.1; 56% male) and their primary caregivers were recruited from three pediatric CF centers across the United States. Results indicated that parental style did not moderate the association between youth self-efficacy and treatment adherence. In addition, neither youth- nor parent-reported division of responsibility for disease management mediated the association between self-efficacy and treatment adherence. However, greater youth self-efficacy was significantly associated with youth taking on more responsibility for their disease management. Findings of the current study suggest promoting self-efficacy during adolescence may increase youth responsibility for their disease management and prepare these youth for the transition from pediatric to adult healthcare.

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