Family-Based Group Intervention Revitalizes the Psychosocial Well-Being of Adolescents with Scoliosis Receiving Brace Treatment
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21559547 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mei‐chun Cheung (0000-0002-0210-0772, Chinese University of Hong Kong, corresponding author), Mei-Chun Cheung, Yuk-Man Leung, Yuk‐Man Leung (0000-0002-0626-1768, Chinese University of Hong Kong), Kit-ting Leung (Chinese University of Hong Kong), Yiwen Shi (0009-0007-7193-1928, Shanghai University of Political Science and Law), Jason Pui Yin Cheung (0000-0002-7052-0875, University of Hong Kong), Derry Law (0000-0002-8812-9006, Saint Francis University), Joanne Yip (0000-0002-3270-4702, Hong Kong Polytechnic University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Publication date | 2026-07-08 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0738-0151 • E-ISSN: 1573-2797 |
| Publisher | Springer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10560-026-01135-0 |
| OpenAlex | W7167733428 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 47 |
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is characterized by curvature of the spine and uneven shoulders and hips. Bracing remains the most effective non-operative modality for preventing spinal curvature progression among individuals with moderate AIS. However, treatment compliance is often poor owing to the associated physical discomfort and psychosocial problems. Adolescents may also experience consequent family conflict, impacting their emotional functioning. This pilot study aimed to investigate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a family-based group intervention in improving the quality of life (QoL) of adolescents with scoliosis receiving brace treatment using a mixed-methods approach. Participants were 37 adolescents clinically diagnosed with AIS who received brace treatment for less than a year in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. 14 received a 6-session family-based group intervention (FGI group), and 23 received treatment as usual (TAU group). Their QoL was evaluated at baseline and post-intervention using the Chinese version of the Brace Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using mixed ANOVA. Psychosocial well-being ( t (22) = -2.142, P = 0.044) significantly worsened in the TAU group, whereas emotional functioning improved in the FGI group ( t (13) = 2.267, P = 0.041). Subsequently, in-depth interviews were conducted with the latter. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis which yielded the following themes concerning the impact of the intervention on adolescents’ psychosocial well-being: (1) Heightened vitality, (2) Enhanced self-esteem and aesthetics, and (3) Improved social functioning. The family-based group intervention revitalized the psychosocial well-being of adolescents with scoliosis undergoing brace treatment
Brace · Psychosocial · Scoliosis · Thematic analysis · Hip disorders and treatments · Scoliosis diagnosis and treatment · Spine and Intervertebral Disc Pathology
The Biopsychosocial Model 25 Years Later
Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (Coreq)
Effectiveness of community‐based family‐focused interventions on family functioning among families of children with chronic health conditions
Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis
The Influence of Family Crisis Coping Strategies on Family Quality of Life in the Assessment of Patients with Idiopathic Scoliosis
Using thematic analysis in psychology
| Highly cited | No |
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