Factors influencing independence in adolescents with sickle cell disease

Problem: Factors that predict successful transition from pediatric to adult care for adolescents with sickle cell disease are not fully understood, making transfer decisions difficult. Methods: Seventy-four adolescents (14-21 years) participated in this descriptive correlational study to investigate the relationships of age, gender, knowledge about sickle cell disease, disease severity, and family relationships to independence. Findings: Knowledge, severity, and family relationships explained only 25% of the variance for independence in the final model; family relationships were inversely correlated. Conclusions: Factors exerting stronger influences on independence remain unknown. Cultural factors may be important among this predominantly African American population.