Coping Strategies and Social Support for Transition Readiness Among Youth With Sickle Cell Disease
By
Apoorva S. Iyengar
Tanisha Belton
Jack Chen
Tisheya Ward
Olivia Teng
Banu Aygun
Abena Appiah-Kubi
Nataly Apollonsky
Donna Boruchov
Biree Andemariam
Omar Niss
Lori E. Crosby
Lisa Schwartz
Lamia Barakat
Kim Smith-Whitley
Sophia Jan
Caren Steinway
July 13, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Strategies for Managing Transition Readiness and the Role of Social Support in Youth with Sickle Cell Disease
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Sickle Cell Disease
Key Mechanisms Abnormal production of sickle hemoglobin leading to vaso-occlusion and associated complications.
Target Population Adolescents and young adults with Sickle Cell Disease transitioning to adult care.
Care Setting Pediatric and adult health care systems.
Key Highlights
Sickle cell disease affects approximately 100,000 people in the US, primarily those of African descent. Improved survival rates have led to a focus on transition from pediatric to adult care. Barriers to transition include lack of timely care, negative perceptions, and socioeconomic factors. Positive coping strategies are associated with higher transition readiness scores. The study evaluates the impact of coping strategies and social support on transition readiness.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Utilize comprehensive assessments for SCD diagnosis and management.
Management
Implement transition navigators and disease-specific information for patients.
Monitoring & Follow-up
Conduct regular evaluations of health care-related quality of life and disease self-management.
Risks
Monitor for poorer disease outcomes and higher health care utilization during transition.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Young adults aged 17 to 28 years with Sickle Cell Disease.
Emphasize the importance of self-advocacy and coping strategies during the transition period.
Clinical Best Practices
Encourage strong relationships and clear communication between patients and health care providers. Support the development of self-management skills in adolescents transitioning to adult care. Address socioeconomic barriers to improve access to care.
Related Resources & Content