| This research examined the effectiveness of a behavioral contract intervention delivered through sickle cell disease (SCD) clinic personnel in comparison to an education control group for helping 33 participants cope with SCD. Results indicate that individuals in the behavioral intervention condition (BIC) had increased Coping Attempts, Negative Thinking, and Passive Coping than those in the education condition (EC). Decreased health care contacts did not occur with either group. EC participants had significantly lower scores than BIC participants for quality of life domains. BIC participants had increased satisfaction with financial issues of health care. Future studies should obtain a larger sample size and integrate components of cognitive therapy into the behavioral contract for decreasing the negative thinking the participants may have. |
