138 BOOK REVIEWS

C. EISER: Chronic Childhood Disease-An Introduction to Psychological Theory and Research. Cambridge University, Cambridge (1990). x + 174 pp. f8.95.

This book provides an extensive review of the research findings in the field of chronic childhood disease. The information reported here is organized in nine short chapters presented under the following headings: “Psychological perspectives in chronic childhood disease”, “Admission to hospital”, “The nature of pain”, “ Adjustment in the child with chronic disease”, “Adjustment in the family ” “Communication and education”, “Intervention programmes”, “Coping with chronic disease” , and “Future directions”. In addition, there is at the end of the book a comprehensive and updated list of references on this topic.

Throughout these chapters the reader is given useful information on the most common chronic illnesses, their characteristics and prognoses, the impact they have at different stages of children’s development and the stress it causes in their families. There is also much practical advice on how to approach these children, to talk to them about their disease, to prepare them for medical treatment and to help them to cope with pain and anxieties. Some of these techniques are described with considerable detail and their efficacy is discussed in the light of the most recent empirical findings.

Despite its excellent quality, this work also has some limitations. Among other things, the author ignores some important chronic diseases (e.g. mental retardation. deformities resulting from accidents, cerebral palsy) and does not specify which form of intervention is the most appropriate for each illness. Furthermore, some of the studies cited here seem to be based on a small number of subjects, lack methodological rigour and are not anchored in any solid theoretical framework.

On the whole, however, the weaknesses of the book are outnumbered by its positive qualities. Therefore, it should be recommended as a valuable source of information for teachers, parents, psychologists, nurses and other workers in the field of child health psychology.

ANTONIO FONSECA