Adolescent and Young Adult Special Interest Group

Over 30 percent of children ages 10-17 have a pediatric chronic health condition, and over 90 percent of these children will make the transition to adulthood. Many medical organization consensus statements have highlighted the needs of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with chronic health conditions and have called for multidisciplinary action. Thus, there is an increasing need for pediatric psychologists to collaborate with other disciplines and/or take a leadership role in caring for, advocating for, and researching AYAs with chronic health conditions.

The mission of the Adolescent and Young Adult SIG is to provide a structure for Society of Pediatric Psychology members to play an active role in the advancement of research, practice, and policy related to AYAs with chronic health conditions and their health care transitions. We aim to do this via the following goals:

Promote Awareness: Promote awareness among SPP members of: 1) psychosocial and health issues specific to AYAs with chronic health conditions, 2) psychosocial and systemic issues impacting the transition to adult health care, and 3) national and federal policy and initiatives related to transition to adult health care.

Promote Research: Identify research priorities for AYAs with chronic health conditions and the transition to adult health care. This includes identifying relevant, and promoting the development of, new theoretical models, measurement tools, methodological approaches, and interventions specific to AYA and transition to adult care.

Promote Networking and Collaboration: Promote research and professional collaborations among pediatric psychologists, adult-based health care societies, and professionals of other disciplines interested in AYAs with chronic health conditions and the transition to adult care.

Promote Best Practices: Identify relevant care guidelines for AYAs with chronic health conditions and the transition to adult care and promote the development of best practice guidelines for incorporating psychological care into transition care of AYAs.

Newsletters

Spring 2020 Newsletter (download here)

Summer 2019 Newsletter (download here)

Fall 2018 Newsletter (download here)

Summer 2018 Newsletter (download here)

Announcements

Intervention Committee Project: The Intervention Committee has been completing literature reviews on interventions for AYAs, including transition-related programs, for a variety of medical conditions to synthesize pertinent information into brief summaries. The goal is that these summaries and references will be accessible on the AYA SIG website, so those interested can quickly and easily identify articles relating to AYA and transition-related interventions. If interested in helping, please email Jennifer Allen and Amanda Feinstein. We would love to have you as part of this endeavor!

Measurement Committee Project: The Measurement Committee recently compiled a list of measures that colleagues have found useful when working specifically with AYA populations in pediatric settings assessing constructs such as transition readiness, healthcare responsibility, and adherence. They are currently working to organize a webinar or presentation on topics specifically related to measurement with AYA populations and hope to get feedback from SIG members regarding specific interests and topics.

Policy Committee Project: The Policy Committee encompasses projects and missions related to advocating for AYA in pediatric and mental health care. They have been working on compiling treatment goal considerations for AYA transitioning to adult care and independent self-management for publication.

 

AYA SIG Board Members:

Chair: Jeannette Iskander, PhD

Other Board members

Chair Elect: Melissa Joung, PsyD
Past Chair: Lila Pereira, PhD

Measurement Chairs - Jennifer Lindwall, PhD, Ana El-Behadli, PhD
Intervention Chairs - Jennifer Allen, PhD, Ann Lantagne, PhD
Policy Chairs - Sidikka Mulchan, PsyD, Francis Cooke, BA
Student Rep - Nicole Ruppe
Communications Chair - Amy Lang, MS

Contact

For more information, please contact SIG chair, Jeanette Iskander, or check out our AYA SIG website! To join the AYA SIG, log in to the Member Portal and go to "Join a SIG/RIG/Affinity Group" on the dropbox.