Psychological Problems of Pediatric Patients with Thalassemia

Abstract

Pediatric patients with thalassemia experience various psychosocial problems that have an impact on the decreased quality of life resulting in depression. The purpose of this study was to look at psychosocial problems and things that happen to children and adolescents with thalassemia related psychosocial experiences. The literature study was made by analyzing scientific articles published from 2015-2020 and in English. Data were obtained from the Scopus, Wiley, Pumbed, and Proquest databases with the keywords psychosocial, pediatric, thalassemia, and quality of life. The results of the literature study found 11 articles that matched the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The course of the disease from thalassemia that requires intense treatment, the patient faces a considerable psychological burden. Social isolation, decreased self-esteem, poor academic performance, contribute to psychological stress. This will have an impact on decreasing the quality of life. The results of the review of the literature review can be used as basic data in the development of counseling and mentoring programs for pediatric and adolescent patients with thalassemia major.