Applying a developmental approach to quality of life assessment in children and adolescents with psychological disorders: challenges and guidelines

Abstract

Research on the quality of life (QL) of children/adolescents with psychological disorders has flourished over the last few decades. Given the developmental challenges of QL measurements in pediatric populations, the aim of this study was to ascertain the extent to which a developmental approach to QL assessment has been applied to pedopsychiatric QL research. A systematic literature search was conducted in three electronic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO,SocINDEX) from 1994 to May 2014. Quantitative studies were included if they assessed the self or proxy-reported QL of children/adolescents with a psychological disorder. Data were extracted for study design, participants, QL instruments and informants, and statistical approach to age-related specificities. The systematic review revealed widespread utilization of developmentally appropriate QL instruments but less frequent use of both self and proxy reports and an inconsistent approach to age group specificities.Methodological guidelines are discussed to improve the developmental validity of QL research for children/adolescents with mental disorders.

Adolescent’s subjective perceptions of chronic disease and related psychosocial factors: highlights from an outpatient context study

“…According to these results and in agreement with the literature, it is crucial to address relevant psychosocial areas [1, 12, 26–32] in the specific age group of adolescents [2, 33, 36, 37] and in their life contexts, because it may give a clear rationale for the implementation of effective interventions, in order to increase social skills, social support and to maximize successful participation [12, 25]. It may be also considerate to adopt an integral perspective focused on the holistic care of these adolescents [28–32].…”

“…Literature concerning the assessment of such dimensions, including research comparing children’s and parents’ QoL (Quality of Life) across several health conditions, and children with different health conditions [33, 34] has been identified. However, studies have mostly focused on proxy-reports [2, 35] and have not analyzed the influence of age-different groups (childhood and adolescence) on the outcomes, nor considered a consistent approach to age group specificities [2, 33, 36, 37]. …”

Do Clinical And Psychosocial Factors Affect Health-Related Quality of Life in Adolescents with Chronic Diseases?

“…In addition, it also underlines previous research recommendations, proposing that in the specific period of adolescence Carona, Silva, & Moreira, 2015), it is crucial to include psychosocial dimensions in complement of traditional health indicators (Health, 2013;Watson, 2014, Pulkki-Råback et al, 2015Varni et al, 2007) and to routinely conduct its assessment in clinical and pediatric settings (Mellion et al, 2014;Moreira et al, 2013). Furthermore, to identify the impaired psychosocial domains, can give potentially useful suggestions, that better help to plan and guide interventions aiming to improve an integral perspective that represents the holistic care for these adolescents (Alba et al, 2013;Elsenbruch et al, 2013;Mazur & Małkowska-Szkutnik, 2010;Marmot et al, 2012).…”

Annual Research Review: Quality of life and childhood mental and behavioural disorders – a critical review of the research

“…In addition to the review by Dey et al. () mentioned earlier, there is also a more recent overview which included 66 clinical studies with and without control groups (Carona, Silva, & Moreira, ). However, the authors examined to what extent a developmental approach to QoL assessment was applied in the selected articles, but did not investigate the results of the included studies in detail.…”