Predictors of Academic Achievement for School Age Children with Sickle Cell Disease. 2013

Kelsey E Smith, and Chavis A Patterson, and Margo M Szabo, and Reem A Tarazi, and Lamia P Barakat
The University of South Carolina, Department of Psychology Barnwell College Columbia, SC, 29208.

Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at risk for neurocognitive impairment and poor academic achievement, although there is limited research on factors predicting academic achievement in this population. This study explores the relative contribution to academic achievement of a comprehensive set of factors, such as environmental (socioeconomic status), disease-related (stroke, transfusion therapy, adherence), and psychosocial variables (child behavior, child quality of life (QoL)), controlling for intellectual functioning (IQ). Eighty-two children with SCD completed measures assessing IQ and academic achievement, while parents completed questionnaires assessing adherence, child behavior, and child quality of life. Medical chart reviews were conducted to determine disease-related factors. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that 55% of the variance in academic skills was accounted for by IQ, parent education, chronic transfusion status, and QoL [R = .55, F(5, 77) = 18.34, p < .01]. Follow-up analyses for broad reading [R = .52, F(5, 77) = 16.37, p < .01], and math calculation [R = .44, F(5, 77) = 12.14, p < .01] were also significant. The findings suggest a significant contribution of factors beyond IQ to academic achievement. Findings allow for identification of children with SCD at risk for academic difficulties for whom psychoeducational interventions may enhance academic achievement.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries

Related Publications

Kelsey E Smith, and Chavis A Patterson, and Margo M Szabo, and Reem A Tarazi, and Lamia P Barakat
February 2017, The Clinical neuropsychologist,
Kelsey E Smith, and Chavis A Patterson, and Margo M Szabo, and Reem A Tarazi, and Lamia P Barakat
March 2021, The Journal of pediatrics,
Kelsey E Smith, and Chavis A Patterson, and Margo M Szabo, and Reem A Tarazi, and Lamia P Barakat
January 2024, Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBP,
Kelsey E Smith, and Chavis A Patterson, and Margo M Szabo, and Reem A Tarazi, and Lamia P Barakat
February 2019, International journal of adolescent medicine and health,
Kelsey E Smith, and Chavis A Patterson, and Margo M Szabo, and Reem A Tarazi, and Lamia P Barakat
April 1983, Journal of the Royal Society of Health,
Kelsey E Smith, and Chavis A Patterson, and Margo M Szabo, and Reem A Tarazi, and Lamia P Barakat
October 2025, Pediatric blood & cancer,
Kelsey E Smith, and Chavis A Patterson, and Margo M Szabo, and Reem A Tarazi, and Lamia P Barakat
November 2012, Journal of abnormal child psychology,
Kelsey E Smith, and Chavis A Patterson, and Margo M Szabo, and Reem A Tarazi, and Lamia P Barakat
December 2004, The Journal of genetic psychology,
Kelsey E Smith, and Chavis A Patterson, and Margo M Szabo, and Reem A Tarazi, and Lamia P Barakat
August 2013, The Journal of school health,
Kelsey E Smith, and Chavis A Patterson, and Margo M Szabo, and Reem A Tarazi, and Lamia P Barakat
October 2023, Journal of the National Medical Association,
Copied contents to your clipboard!