Children with Sickle-Cell Anemia: Parental Relations, Parent-Child Relations, and Child Behavior

The influence of a child with sickle-cell anemia on parental affiliation, parent-child relationships, and the parents' perception of their child's behavior is investigated. The study results reveal that the presence of a child with sickle-cell anemia may create interpersonal difficulties for the parents. For example, single mothers who have a child with sickle-cell anemia are more likely to view their child's behavior and their relationship with their child less favorably than married mothers of a child with sickle-cell anemia. The authors encourage additional research on both clinical and social policy issues for this population.