Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis’s Connections to Psychological Health and the Child Life Profession: A Literature Review

The aim of this thesis is to (a) determine the psychological effects of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) on adolescents and their families, (b) determine how psychological support can improve the outcomes and care for AIS patients, and (c) determine how Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) can support the treatment of AIS for adolescents and their families within the framework of Family Stress Theory. A literature review, which spanned three search engines and many terms, helped to answer the research questions. Results show AIS has a varying degree of influence on many aspects of psychological health depending on patient characteristics and treatment trajectory. There is not much literature based on CCLS intervention with patients who have AIS, but the available research suggests positive outcomes. Future researchers should recruit larger, more representative samples in studies analyzing the psychological effects of AIS on patients and their family systems. They should also look more into CCLS involvement with the AIS population. Professionals involved with the care of patients who have AIS should create treatment plans that go beyond physical care and address psychological health. This should include requesting CCLS involvement and advocating for larger CCLS programs. Keywords: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis, Child Life Specialist, Family Stress Theory, Mental Health, Psychological Health, Resilience, Socioemotional Well-beingBachelor of Art