Psychosocial parameters and effects of Thalassemia

Abstract

Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder (similar to sickle cell anemia). It could be life threatening if individuals do not adhere to regular blood transfusions and iron chelation. Thalassemia is a condition with high prevalence in the Mediterranean region. Cyprus since the 1970s implemented a screening program and genetic counseling of gene carriers and as a result, new births of children with thalassemia have tremendously decreased. Today, there are about six hundred patients with Thalassemia in Cyprus. The papers in this symposium will present the psychosocial parameters associated with Thalassemia in Cyprus. Specifically, two qualitative, one quantitative and an intervention evaluation study will be presented. First, stigma experiences and perceptions of people living with Thalassemia and their spouses is explored. Next, the biographical disruption that these patients suffer is examined in a qualitative study. The third, quantitative study explored the relation between individual differences (e.g. experiential avoidance) and other psychological factors on QoL. Finally, the effectiveness of an ACT protocol for improving well-being in Thalassemia patients will be explored.