Evaluation of the Cognitive Abilities in Children with Chronic Medical Disease Based on their Attachment Style

Abstract

The purpose of the current study is to evaluate cognitive abilities in children with chronic medical conditions based on their attachment style. In this regard, 45 children aged 12-15 years (24 women, 21 men) meeting the diagnosis criteria for chronic medical condition (diabetes, or thalassemia, or kidney disease) were selected by available sampling method and entered the study. Inclusion and exclusion criteria, investigated from initial interview and child’s medical document, and a child who meet the inclusion criteria participated in the research after their permission and signed informed consent form was signed by their mothers. After Children completed the Collins and Read Attachment Style Questionnaire and Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery, they were assigned into three groups with secure, avoidant and anxious attachment style based on their scores. These groups were matched in demographic characters, and then in the next step cognitive abilities for all subjects were assessed. The result of One-way analysis of variance analysis showed a significant difference between three groups in cognitive abilities. Children with secure attachment style had higher performance in the cognitive abilities than children with avoidant and anxious attachment styles. These results showed that one of the factors, which can have an effect on the health status, especially on children’s cognitive abilities with chronic medical conditions, is their attachment style.

Keywords

• attachment style
• cognitive ability
• children
• chronic disease