Abstract

SANTOS, Salomé Vieira. Quality of life in children and adolescents with health problems: conceptualization, assessment and intervention. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2006, vol.7, n.1, pp.89-94. ISSN 1645-0086.

The author analyses specific difficulties that clinicians and researchers have found in relation to definition, conceptualization and measure of Quality of Life (QF) in children and adolescents with health problems, namely in the case of chronic diseases. Specific aspects of intervention are also approached. At this moment, the majority of professionals recognize that the construct is multidimensional (although discrepancy in the identification of specific domains is present) and incorporates objective and subjective components. The need to consider a developmental perspective is also emphasized, which has consequences in both definition and identification of specific contents to enclose in the QL dimensions, and in its assessment. In addition, measures should contemplate normative changes in abilities and roles throughout the development phases. In the assessment context, reference is also made to the measures type (generic versus specific) and to the informant, emphasizing the pertinence to increment the inclusion of the child/adolescent as source of information.

Keywords : Children/adolescents; Health problems; Quality of life.

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