Solving Developmental Tasks in Adolescents with a Chronic Physical Illness or Physical/Sensory Disability: A Meta-analysis

Chronic illnesses and disabilities may impair the attainment of age-typical developmental tasks, such as forming relationships with peers and gaining autonomy. Based on a systematic search in electronic databases and cross-referencing, 447 quantitative empirical studies were included which compared the attainment of developmental tasks of adolescents with and without chronic physical illness or physical/sensory disability. Adolescents with chronic illness or disability had more problems than healthy/nondisabled peers with regard to autonomy, body acceptance, developing friendships and romantic relationships, gaining access to a peer-group, career preparation, preparing for family life and developing socially responsible behaviour. However, between-group differences were small. No between-group differences were found regarding gender role acquisition and identity development. Success in solving developmental tasks varied, in part, by disease group, visibility of the disease/disability, age, gender and representativeness of the sample. Interventions aimed at promoting the attainment of developmental tasks are recommended.