Perinatal risk factors and neurocognitive outcomes in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease.

Background: The literature on cognitive and academic outcomes for children with sickle cell disease (SCD) who experience perinatal risk factors is limited. We aimed to evaluate if low birthweight (LBW), gestational age, and history of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission were associated with neurocognitive functioning, grade retention, or receipt of early intervention or formal educational support in children with SCD.

Procedures: This prospective birth cohort study included 336 participants, ages 8-18, with SCD, who received cognitive testing as part of standard of care and whose caregivers completed behavioral rating scales.

Examining the influence of pain and fatigue on neurocognitive functioning in adolescents and young adults with sickle cell disease.

Pain and fatigue are among the most common and impactful complications of sickle cell disease (SCD). Individuals with SCD are also more likely to have neurocognitive deficits. Previous studies have suggested that pain and fatigue might influence neurocognitive functioning in patients with SCD.

The feasibility and acceptability of mobile ecological momentary assessment to evaluate sleep, family functioning, and affect in patients with pediatric craniopharyngioma.

Purpose/objectives: We aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of mobile ecological momentary assessment (mEMA) for youth with craniopharyngioma and evaluate daily associations among family functioning, affect, and sleep difficulties.

Design/research Approach: Youth completed two mEMA diaries per day for one week.

Sample/participants: Thirty-nine youth who underwent surgery and proton radiotherapy (when indicated) for craniopharyngioma.

Is Humor a Meaning Making Process? Investigating the Effects of Absurd Humor and Mortality Salience on Meaning in Life, Moral Identity, Belongingness, and Belief in a Just World.

Both mortality salience and absurd humor have been found to elicit fluid compensation - the automatic process of strengthening unrelated beliefs in response to a meaning threat. Previous research has suggested that perceiving absurd humor to be funny decreases people's tendency to fluid compensate, suggesting that humor is a meaning-making process. However, these results may have been confounded by mortality salience effects.

Sleep-related challenges and family functioning in children and adolescents previously treated for craniopharyngioma.

Purpose: We investigated sleep-related challenges and their association with family functioning in children and adolescents previously treated for craniopharyngioma.

Design: Quantitative approach using psychometrically validated measures.

Sample: Thirty-nine children and adolescents who had been treated for craniopharyngioma and their primary caregivers.