Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised studies and non-randomised studies were included.
Specific interventions included in the review
A range of interventions were included. The authors were unable to provide specific details because of the paucity of information provided by the primary studies. However, the interventions included educational programmes, where the educational component was delivered directly by written materials or through computer programs. Non-educational programmes were also included, such as social skills training or peer counselling training. The interventions also varied in intensity and in duration (3 weeks to 15 months, where stated).
Participants included in the review
Patients with asthma, cancer, epilepsy and mixed diagnoses. The age range across all the studies was 0 to 21 years.
Outcomes assessed in the review
The outcomes included the following: stress symptoms; self-management; self-efficacy; child's influence on parents; depression, anxiety and physical and psychological symptoms; self-esteem; adjustment to school; family functioning; general feelings; fear; maturity; personal adjustment; maternal satisfaction; social competence; locus of control.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
Two independent reviewers selected the papers for the review, with any discrepancies being reconciled by consensus.