The relation between parental psychological distress and adolescent anxiety in youths with chronic illnesses: The mediating effect of perceived child vulnerability

The purpose of this study was to examine the relation of perceived child vulnerability (PCV) and parental psychological distress (PPD) to adolescent anxiety (AANX) in youths with chronic illnesses. Ninety-one (n = 91) adolescents diagnosed with either type 1 diabetes mellitus (DMI) or asthma and their parents were recruited as part of a larger study examining parent and child adjustment to chronic illness. Adolescents completed a measure of anxiety, and parents completed measures of PCV and PPD. After controlling for multiple demographic and illness parameters, both PPD and PCV significantly predicted AANX. Further analysis indicated that the relation between PPD and AANX was mediated by PCV. These findings suggest that parent-reported psychological distress is associated with adolescent-reported anxiety. Notably, PCV appears to be a possible mechanism by which PPD influences anxiety in adolescents with chronic illnesses. Clinical relevance, study limitations, directions for future research, and implications for practice are discussed.