To evaluate predictions from professionals in pediatric rheumatology regarding the child-rearing practices of caregivers of children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and healthy classmates.
Sixteen professionals identified items from the Child-Rearing Practices Report (CRPR) that were expected to differentiate between caregivers of children with JRA (64 mothers, 45 fathers) and caregivers of healthy classmates (64 mothers, 40 fathers). Families were interviewed, and physician ratings of disease severity were obtained.
Experts predicted difficulties in protectiveness, discipline, and worry. Ratings from parents of children with JRA showed modest agreement with the professionals, surprising similarity to controls, and a limited association with disease factors.
Contrary to expert opinion, JRA has only a modest influence on some child-rearing practices. Educating health care providers may minimize misperceptions about caring for children with JRA, and screening parents of children with more severe disease may assist in allocating education and services for families.