Living With Juvenile Arthritis: Adolescents' Challenges and Experiences

Abstract Introduction The objective of this study was to identify challenges that teens experience while living with juvenile arthritis (JA) from the perspective of youth and young adults with JA. Method Focus group interviews were conducted with youth (aged 14-21 years) and young adults (aged 22-29...

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Published inJournal of pediatric health care Vol. 25; no. 5; pp. 302 - 307
Main Authors Secor-Turner, Molly, PhD, MS, RN, Scal, Peter, MD, MPH, Garwick, Ann, PhD, RN, LMFT, LP, FAAN, Horvath, Keith, PhD, Wells, Courtney Kellerman, BA
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Mosby, Inc 01.09.2011
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Advanced Practice Nursing
Arthritis - psychology
Arthritis - therapy
Female
Focus Groups
Humans
juvenile arthritis
Male
Nursing
Pediatrics
Qualitative research
transition
Young Adult
Qualitative research
adolescent
juvenile arthritis
transition
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Summary:Abstract Introduction The objective of this study was to identify challenges that teens experience while living with juvenile arthritis (JA) from the perspective of youth and young adults with JA. Method Focus group interviews were conducted with youth (aged 14-21 years) and young adults (aged 22-29 years) with JA using a semi-structured interview protocol that included questions about the challenges adolescents experience while living with arthritis. Results Challenges of living with JA were identified in the areas of (a) health care, (b) relationships, (c) school, (d) physical, and (e) individual. However, distinct perspectives emerged between youth and young adult participants. For youth, challenges were situated in present time and focused heavily on interpersonal situations. Alternatively, young adults reported challenges that illuminated their experiences of movement from adolescence into young adulthood (e.g., independently managing their JA and disclosure to dating partners). Discussion Findings from this study display complex and multifaceted experiences that teens face while living with arthritis. Experiences associated with arthritis were not limited to being described as health care–related challenges; rather, arthritis permeates multiple contexts in adolescents' lives.
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ISSN:0891-5245
1532-656X
DOI:10.1016/j.pedhc.2010.06.004