The main assignment revolves around the topic of chronic illness with a specific focus on cystic fibrosis (CF). Further instructions and marking criteria for the assignment will be provided down.
In 3000 words you need to:
1. Outline a developmental psychology theory in relation to cystic fibrosis. In
particular discuss where an adolescent with cystic fibrosis may fit developmentally and why.
2. Use 2 of the discussion points provided and empirical research (journal articles) to discuss the psychological impact of living with cystic fibrosis (again with a particular focus on adolescence).
3. Consider why it is important to have an understanding of human development and
psychological responses to illness and how this is relevant to health professionals.
In responding to these items your assignment should do the following things:
Discuss a psychological developmental theory and link this to cystic fibrosis
(CF). To do this think about what the relevant developmental issues might be.
Consider the cognitive psychological social emotional and physical implications of living with this chronic disease. It may help to think about how lifespan development for someone with CF might differ from that of a healthy person.
Use 2 of the discussion points provided to further aid your discussion. To do this look at the discussion questions provided and see what the literature says about CF and these topics.
Discuss the importance of understanding the way people think feel and behave in relation to what your role may be as a future health professional.
Include sufficient resources to show that you understand your theory of choice and the issues related to cystic fibrosis. At a minimum you will include eight (8)
academic sources. That is the written assignment will consist of:
o A minimum of five (5) peer reviewed research articles. They should be published from 2000-2015 but you may find a classic article that is relevant and was
published earlier. You will need to justify its inclusion. These articles may include but are not limited to:
Articles that have considered a particular age group with cystic fibrosis
Articles that focus on cystic fibrosis in general (or chronic illness in childhood/adolescence).
Articles that focus on the particular stage in the lifespan (e.g. infancy adolescence adulthood etc.)
You may discover that you cannot find articles that cover BOTH the cystic fibrosis AND the stage in the lifespan in the same article. You may be able to justify that research on other chronic illnesses is relevant.
Research articles should be peer reviewed and academic in nature.
o Appropriate chapters from lifespan development texts and health psychology texts should be used in relation to the theoretical perspectives and/or the wider research agenda.
Formatting your assignment
Assignments need to be typed in times new roman 12 point font double spaced with 2.5-3.2 cm margins. It is recommended that you use sub-headings.
Indent the first line of each paragraph. Number all pages of your assignment and include your name or your student ID number on each page.
The word count starts at the title and ends before the reference list. The word count includes everything in-between. There are no penalties for word counts + or 10%. When writing your essay consider whether your essay meets the criteria rather than excessively focusing on the word count.
References and in-text referencing are required to be in APA referencing format.
Possible discussion points
Below is a list of discussion points/key questions that can guide the discussion in your essay in response to discussion point 2. You should choose 2 to discuss and spend roughly the same number amount of words on each. All discussion should be linked to previous research (e.g. peer-reviewed journal articles):
? Describe psychological and social influences that contribute to how people stay healthy become ill and respond to illness
? Discuss any potential issues related to treatment adherence for someone with CF and identify factors that enhance or inhibit adherence to treatment at different life stages.
? Discuss psychological or social issues related to food or nutrition for people with CF.
? Discuss the impact of having CF within the family network.
? Discuss coping mechanisms used by children with CF
? Discuss any social determinants of health that would impact on how a person with CF
deals with the disease?
? Discuss factors involved with the relationships/ social networks that someone with CF
can maintain?
? Discuss how positive coping strategies or elements of resilience might be useful.
? Would loss affect someone with CF? Or their family? If so what type of loss?
? You can also devise your own (relevant) discussion point
References that may be useful
Below are a selection of peer-reviewed journal articles. Depending on the discussion points that you choose they may or may not be relevant for your essay.
Besier T. Born A. Henrich G. Hinz A. Quittner A. L. Goldbeck L. & The TIDES Study Group. (2011). Anxiety depression and life satisfaction in parents caring for children with cystic fibrosis Pediatric Pulmonology 46 672-682 doi:
10.1002/ppul.21423
Graetza B. W. Shute R. H. & Sawyer M. G. (2000). An Australian study of adolescents with cystic fibrosis: perceived supportive and nonsupportive behaviors from families
and friends and psychological adjustment Journal of Adolescent Health 26 64-69 doi:
10.1016/S1054-139X(99)00026-9
Grossoehme D. H. Szczesniak R. McPhail G. L. Seid M. (2013). Is adolescents religious coping with cystic fibrosis associated with the rate of decline in pulmonary function?-A preliminary study. Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy 19 33-42 doi:
10.1080/08854726.2013.767083.
Jamieson N. Fitzgerald D. Singh-Grewal D. Hanson C. S. Craig J. C. & Tong A. (2014). Childrens Experiences of Cystic Fibrosis: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies Pediatrics 133 e1683-e1697 doi: 10.1542/peds.2014-0009
Pfeffer P. E. Pfeffer J. M. & Hodson M. E. (2003). The psychosocial and psychiatric side of cystic fibrosis in adolescents and adults Journal of Cystic Fibrosis 2 61-68 doi:
10.1016/S1569-1993(03)00020-1
Rosina R. Crisp J. & Steinbeck K. (2003). Treatment adherence of youth and young adults with and without a chronic illness Nursing and Health Sciences 5 139-147.
Trevena L. Davey H. Barratt A. Butow P. & Caldwell P. (2006). A systematic review on communicating with patients about evidence Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice 12 13-23.
Reynolds N. Mrug S. Hensler M. Guion K. & Madan-Swain A. (2014). Spiritual Coping and Adjustment in Adolescents With Chronic Illness: A 2-Year Prospective Study Journal of Pediatric Psychology 39 542551 doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsu011
Segal T. Y. (2008). Adolescence: what the cystic fibrosis team needs to know Journal of the
Royal Society of Medicine101 Suppl 1 S15-27. doi: 10.1258/jrsm.2008.s18005.
Szyndlera J. E. Townsa S. J. van Asperenb P. P. McKay K. O. (2005). Psychological and family functioning and quality of life in adolescents with cystic fibrosis Journal of Cystic Fibrosis 4135-144 doi: 10.1016/j.jcf.2005.02.004
Marking Criteria
Needs Improvement Satisfactory Good Excellent
Title No title included or poor title (e.g. Introduction). Includes an appropriate title that reflects the topic of the paper
Introduction Topic not well introduced; scope & purpose of essay
is not clear. The introductory paragraph may be rambling and lengthy too short uninformative or unclear. Focus of the essay has been
outlined adequately. Introduction clearly outlines the scope
and purpose of the essay. The scope and purpose of the essay has been
clearly outlined. Succinct engaging introduction to the topic; sound grasp of the essay topic is evident.
