Children with cystic fibrosis: I. Psychological test findings of patients, siblings, and parents.

Psychological evaluation of 43 families, each with a child with cystic fibrosis, 
is reported. Personality testing of the parents showed that 32% of 
the fathers and 22% of the mothers obtained scores in the 
range suggestive of emotional disturbance. The Family-Concept O Sort assessment of 
family interaction indicated that the primary effect of having a child 
with cystic fibrosis was in terms of decreased family satisfaction and 
family adjustment. The results do not support previous estimates of an 
increased incidence of emotional disturbance in children with cystic fibrosis. Evidence 
for negative psychological impact of chronic illness on sibling development was 
also lacking. Future research would benefit from a focus on the 
strengths and resilience of children with cystic fibrosis and their families. 
