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Background: Research has examined family functioning in relation to childhood chronic conditions; some findings suggest a detrimental impact of illness on functioning, others suggest no impact or instances of improved functioning. This review collated qualitative data, to understand the factors facilitating healthy functioning. Method: Four electronic databases were searched: Web of Science, Medline, CINAHL and Psych INFO and ten papers were identified.

Introduction: The Common Sense Model (CSM) posits that Illness Representations (IRs) are a patient's beliefs and expectations about an illness and that IRs guide health behavior (Leventhal, Brissette, & Leventhal, 2003). This study aimed to examine possible links between youth asthma IRs and disease-related outcomes ( controller medication adherence, asthma control, and lung function) in a sample of black and Latino youth with asthma.

Serving children with special health care needs (SHCN) or developmental disabilities (DD) and their families is an important public health issue (Healthy People, 2020). The prevalence of children with special health care needs or developmental disabilities is significant and increasing (Boyle et al., 2011). Caregivers of children with SHCN or DD and their families demand clinical and research attention given the potential range of health and well-being outcomes that are associated with their children’s developmental or medical complexity.

Asthma remains the leading cause of chronic respiratory illness among Native Hawaiian children 0 to 17 years in Hawai'i. The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) established asthma management guidelines which includes medical assessment and monitoring, education in partnership with the caregiver, control of environmental triggers, and medication adherence (National Asthma Education Prevention Program [NAEPP], 2007). However, these guidelines do not consider the worldview, health beliefs, and cultural practices of caregiver, child, and family.

Due to recent advances in medical technology, the number of children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) is steadily growing in the United States. CSHCN comprise more than 40% of overall healthcare costs nationwide, even though this group is only comprised of 16% of the U.S. child population. There are significant differences between private and public health plans in terms of cost, adequacy, and parent satisfaction. As an added benefit, some public and private health insurance plans offer nursing care coordination (or nursing case management) services.

An initial problem frequently found in children born with cleft palate is difficulty feeding. This problem can be magnified in rural areas where healthcare resources are limited. A 29-item questionnaire was developed and administered to 24 families whose children were born with a cleft palate. Many parents experienced difficulties in both instruction and in feeding their children. It was necessary for them to seek information and assistance from different sources.

In the United States, approximately 20 percent of all children have a special health care need. Additionally, mothers of a child with a special health care need have worse overall well-being, mental and physical health compared to mothers of typically developing children. Physical activity may improve depressive symptoms and overall health in these mothers; however, little is known about the acceptability of physical activity interventions for mothers of a child with a special health care need.

Anxiety and mood disorders represent two of the most common disorders experienced by children/adolescents. Untreated anxiety or mood disorders can put children and adolescents at risk for other conditions, like disruptive behavior and substance use disorders, that can have far-reaching consequences even after the mood or anxiety disorder is treated. For caregivers, providing care or raising a child or adolescent with a diagnosed mood or anxiety disorder can impact caregivers in various ways.

The hospitalization of a child is a very tumultuous time for the caregiver. Going through the entire process of hospitalization from being admitted, to the diagnostic process, can be overwhelming to understand for caregivers. For caregivers who are not familiar with the American medical system, this process is even more unsettling and stressful. The purpose of this study was to examine culturally competent practices within the pediatric medical setting from the perspective of Punjabi families.