Introduction
Pediatric psychology, the specialty field within psychology dedicated to treating children and adolescents, focuses on the mental, emotional, and behavioral needs of children and adolescents. Over time, this discipline has come a long way, and some theories and techniques have been merged from different domains of psychology and other academic subjects (Canter et al., 2018).This historical review aims to trace the origins and development of pediatric psychology, explore its relationships with other areas of psychology, and discuss its interdisciplinary nature.
The History of Pediatric Psychology
Pediatric psychology’s roots date back to the early 20th century when pioneering psychologists noted the issues around psychological aspects in children’s health and development. The existence of the Division of Clinical Psychology from the APA is one of the notable historical milestones of pediatric psychology (Canter et al., 2018). This field was greatly developed by building such a practice and research on pediatric psychology. The late 20th century was the time when research in medical technology and healthcare reached this understanding that children and their families especially suffered the psychological effects of pediatric illness and medical interventions (Kazak et al., 2019). Dr. Bruno Bettelheim, a well-known child psychologist, emphasized the emotional reactions of hospitalized children to illness (Canter et al., 2018). His work began with a holistic approach, including psychological support for children in healthcare settings.
During the 1970s and 1980s, the pediatric psychology area saw additional development by creating dedicated training programs and research centers dedicated to child health psychology. Along with this, developing evidence-based interventions became the central focus of research in pediatrics for conditions such as chronic illnesses, pain, and developmental disorders (Canter et al., 2018). In addition, the implementation of behavioral approaches together with cognitive behavioral procedures into pediatric medical care represented an important breakthrough in offering holistic services to children and adolescents. Recently, pediatric psychology has been changing rapidly, involving breakthroughs in neurology, developmental psychology, and other disciplines of psychology (Kazak et al., 2019). Innovations in integrating technology into assessment and intervention practices have further substantially revolutionized the delivery process of pediatric psychological services and are now more accessible and efficient.
Relationship to Other Areas of Psychology
Pediatric psychology is distinctly connected with a range of fields in psychology. It borrows from developmental psychology, clinical psychology, health psychology, and educational psychology regarding the theories and methods(Perricone, 2021). Developmental psychologists analyze the mental, emotional, and social factors that affect a child’s development, which are important for understanding how a child can behave in the context of illness and healthcare systems(Stancin & Perrin, 2023). Clinical psychology brings into focus the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment aspects of psychological disorders, providing expertise to pediatric psychologists to deal with mental health issues in children and adolescents.
The health psychology paradigm provides a theory for apprehending biopsychosocial modalities affecting pediatric health outcomes, and behavior change that guide the design of interventions to promote well-being and health(Stancin & Perrin, 2023). Moreover, educational psychology also has a part in addressing the academic needs and improving the learning of children with chronic illnesses or disabilities, promoting their educational achievement and social integration(Perricone, 2021). Providing an interdisciplinary model for pediatric psychology fosters a holistic approach to meeting the needs of pediatric patients and their families. It helps in collaboration between healthcare team members, educators, and community resources.
Relationship to Other Academic Disciplines
Psychology is not the only domain that pediatric psychology interacts with; it cuts across various academic disciplines, including medicine, nursing, social work, and education(Dane, 2017). Such collaborative efforts are crucial as they are akin to a combined approach of pediatric psychologists and physicians to offer holistic care to pediatric patients by addressing their physical and cognitive needs(Dane, 2017). Collaboration of pediatric psychologists with pediatricians, pediatric nurses, and other healthcare providers is very common, and they work together to assist children and families facing acute and chronic medical conditions. They work as a team to devise individualized treatments, ensure good adherence to medical schedules, and prompt coping and adaptation to disease-related problems.
In addition, collaborations with educators and school personnel are crucial for meeting children living with chronic illnesses or disabilities and their educational and psychosocial needs(Dane, 2017). Collaborating with schools, clinical psychologists create personalized education plans, provide academic accommodations, and improve the social inclusion and teamwork of students who have to cope with illnesses.
Conclusion
Generally, the field of pediatric psychology has had a remarkable progression from its early beginnings in the mid-20th century to its current status as a full-fledged and dynamic Division within the discipline of psychology. Its historical development expresses the historical realization that it is vital to consider the psychosocial aspect of pediatric health and wellbeing. In addition, the subject areas within psychology involved in interdisciplinary collaborations point to the holistic approach to addressing the complex needs of children and adolescents. Moving forward, research, practice, and multidisciplinary collaborations enhance pediatric psychology’s role in positively affecting children’s health outcomes.
References
Dane, K. (2017, December 19). Explain the relationship of psychology with other academic disciplines. Owlgen. https://www.owlgen.in/explain-the-relationship-of-psychology-with-other-academic-disciplines/
Perricone, G. (2021). Pediatric Psychology. Pediatric Reports, 13(1), 135–141. https://doi.org/10.3390/pediatric13010020
Stancin, T., & Perrin, E. C. (2023). Psychologists and Pediatricians, Opportunities for Collaboration in Primary Care. Apa.org. https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/amp-a0036046.pdf
Canter, K. S., Amaro, C. M., Noser, A. E., & Roberts, M. C. (2018). Historical analysis: the Journal of Pediatric Psychology from 1976 to 2015. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 43(1), 21-30. https://academic.oup.com/jpepsy/article-abstract/43/1/21/3852633
Kazak, A. E., Roberts, M. C., Brown, R. T., Holmbeck, G. N., Koocher, G. P., La Greca, A. M., … & Palermo, T. M. (2019). Historical analysis: Editors’ reflections on 50 years of the Journal of Pediatric Psychology. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 44(10), 1140-1150. https://academic.oup.com/jpepsy/article-abstract/44/10/1140/5588953
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