Table of Contents

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this discussion is to provide an overview of psychosocial adaptation to chronic illness and disability (CID) with a special focus on cystic fibrosis as it pertains to children and adolescents. Understanding psychosocial adaptation to chronic illness and disability in general provides the medical team and mental health providers’ basic information regarding the factors impacting adaptation; also, the focus on cystic fibrosis provides information regarding the specific factors related to cystic fibrosis in conceptualizing how these factors impact their patients and ultimately designing as well as implementing effective treatment. The importance of understanding how psycho-social factors impact adapting to CID for children and adolescents cannot be stressed enough as physicians are often the first provider these patients visit. Additionally, many patients may not understand the connection between psychosocial factors and problems associated with cystic fibrosis and not consider seeking out mental health services without the encouragement from the medical team. The necessity of multidisciplinary teams is stressed due to the fact that CID as well as cystic fibrosis impacts the whole person (physiologically, psychologically, psychosocially, and environmentally) and teams need to include professionals who can adequately address all of these factors. Definition, overarching concepts, coping strategies, assessment, and interventions are considered in this document.

Keywords: Chronic illness, disability, psychosocial aspects, cystic fibrosis, adaptation