Case studies are an important venue for reporting clinical processes relevant to clinical care, research agendas, and interprofessional collaboration. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology (CPPP) is actively soliciting case studies to further the mission of promoting evidence-based practice, highlighting important areas for further empirical study related to biopsychosocial phenomena and advocating for the value and relevance of pediatric psychology in the current health care climate. This article highlights desired topic areas for case studies for CPPP, reviews methodological considerations, and provides recommendations for case study reporting. In addition, ethical considerations related to case study report methodology are reviewed. Our hope is that this article will promote submission and acceptance of case studies to Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology.
American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
3.
American Psychological Association Task Force on Evidence-Based Practice for Children and Adolescents. (2008). Disseminating evidence-based practice for children and adolescents: A systems approach to enhancing care. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
4.
BagnerD. M.FernandezM. A., & EybergS. M. (2004). Parent-Child Interaction Therapy and chronic illness: A case study. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 11(1), 1–6. doi:10.1023/B:JOCS.0000016264.02407.fd
5.
BagnerD. M.SheinkopfS. J.Miller-LoncarC. L.VohrB. R.HinckleyM.EybergS. M., & LesterB. M. (2009). Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for children born premature: A case study and illustration of vagal tone as a physiological measure of treatment outcome. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 16, 468–477. doi:10.1016/j.cbpra.2009.05.002
6.
BarlowD. H., & HensenM. (1984). Single case experimental designs: Strategies for studying behavior change (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Pergamon Press.
7.
BarreraM. (2000). Brief clinical report: Procedural pain and anxiety management with mother and sibling as co-therapists. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 25, 117–121. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/25.2.117
8.
BealeI. L. (2006). Scholarly literature review: Efficacy of psychological interventions for pediatric chronic illnesses. Journal of Pediatrics Psychology, 31, 437–451. doi:jsj079[pii]10.1093/jpepsy/jsj079
9.
BernardR. S.CohenL. L., & MoffettK. (2009). A token economy for exercise adherence in pediatric cystic fibrosis: A single-subject analysis. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 34, 354–365. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsn101
10.
BorckardtJ. J.NashM. R.MurphyM. D.MooreM.ShawD., & O’NeilP. (2008). Clinical practice as natural laboratory for psychotherapy research - A guide to case-based time-series analysis. American Psychologist, 63, 77–95.
11.
BurkeR. V.KuhnB. R., & PetersonJ. L. (2004). Brief report: A “storybook” ending to children’s bedtime problems: The use of a rewarding social story to reduce bedtime resistance and frequent night waking. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 29, 389–396. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsh042
12.
CampoJ. V., & NegriniB. J. (2000). Case study: Negative reinforcement and behavioral management of conversion disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 39, 787–790. doi:10.1097/00004583-200006000-00018
13.
CarterB. D.KronenbergerW. G.ThrelkeldB.TownsendA., & PruittA. (in press). The Children’s Health & Illness Recovery Program (CHIRP): Feasibility and preliminary efficacy in a clinical sample of adolescents with chronic pain and fatigue. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology.
14.
CollinsT. L.HoldenE. W., & ScheelJ. N. (1996). Cognitive functioning as a contraindication to organ transplant surgery: Dilemmas encountered in medical decision making. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 3, 413–422. doi:10.1007/BF01994023
15.
DrotarD. (2009). Editorial: Case studies and series: A call for action and invitation for submissions. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 34, 795–802. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsp059
16.
DrotarD. (2011). Editorial: Guidance for submitting and reviewing case reports and series in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 36, 951–958. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsr065
17.
DrotarD., & LemanekK. (2001). Steps toward a clinically relevant science of interventions in pediatric settings: Introduction to the special issue. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 26, 385–394. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/26.7.385
18.
EarlesJ.KerrB., & KellarM. (2003). Case report: Psychophysiologic treatment of vocal cord dysfunction. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 90, 669–671. doi:10.1016/S1081-1206(10)61874-1
19.
EhrenreichJ. T.BoggsK. M.SeifT. A.StrotherD. M., & GrossA. M. (2003). It’s a dirty job: Mental health consultation and the challenges of treating encopresis in a preadolescent. Clinical Case Studies, 2, 20–33. doi:10.1177/1534650102239086
20.
EllisD. A.Naar-KingS.FreyM.RowlandM., & GregerN. (2003). Case study: Feasibility of multisystemic therapy as a treatment for urban adolescents with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 28, 287–293.
21.
ErnstM. M.WooldridgeJ. L.ConwayE.DressmanK.WeilandJ.TuckerK., & SeidM. (2010). Using quality improvement science to implement a multidisciplinary behavioral intervention targeting pediatric inpatient airway clearance. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 35, 14–24.
22.
GlasgowR. E., & AndersonB. J. (1995). Future-directions for research on pediatric chronic disease management: Lessons from diabetes. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 20, 389–402. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/20.4.389
23.
GorodzinskyA. Y.HainsworthK. R., & WeismanS. J. (2011). School functioning and chronic pain: A review of methods and measures. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 36, 991–1002.
24.
GorskiJ. A.SliferK. J.TownsendV.Kelly-SuttkaJ., & AmariA. (2005). Behavioural treatment of non-compliance in adolescents with newly acquired spinal cord injuries [Case Reports]. Pediatric Rehabilitation, 8, 187–198. doi:10.1080/13638490400021438
25.
GravesM. M.RobertsM. C.RapoffM., & BoyerA. (2010). The efficacy of adherence interventions for chronically ill children: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 35, 368–382.
26.
GrazianoP. A.CalluengC. M., & GeffkenG. R. (2010). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of an 11-year-old male presenting with emetophobia: A case study. Clinical Case Studies, 9, 411–425. doi:10.1177/1534650110384436
27.
HilliardM. E.ErnstM. M.GrayW. N.SaeedS. A., & CortinaS. (2012). Adapting pediatric psychology interventions: Lessons learned in treating families from the Middle East. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 37, 882–892.
28.
HirshA. T.SearsS. F., & ContiJ. B. (2009). Cognitive and behavioral treatments for anxiety and depression in a patient with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD): A case report and clinical discussion. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 16, 270–279.
29.
HongB. A. (2006). Call for papers: Case presentation in the practice of clinical psychology in medical or healthcare settings. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 13, 197.
Kashikar-ZuckS.FlowersS. R.ClaarR. L.GuiteJ. W.LoganD. E.Lynch-JordanA. M., . . .WilsonA. C. (2011). Clinical utility and validity of the Functional Disability Inventory among a multicenter sample of youth with chronic pain. Pain, 152, 1600–1607.
32.
KazdinA. E. (2003). Research design in clinical psychology (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
33.
KazdinA. E. (2011). Single-case research designs: Methods for clinical and applied settings (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
34.
KellyJ. F., & CoonsH. L. (2012). Integrated health care and professional psychology: Is the setting right for you?Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 43, 586–595.
35.
KerigP. K.SinkH. E.CuellarR. E.VanderzeeK. L., & ElfstromJ. L. (2010). Implementing trauma-focused CBT with fidelity and flexibility: A family case study. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 39, 713–722.
36.
LangbergJ. M.VaughnA. J.BrinkmanW. B.FroehlichT., & EpsteinJ. N. (2010). Clinical utility of the Vanderbilt ADHD Rating Scale for ruling out comorbid learning disorders. Pediatrics, 126, e1033–e1038.
37.
LetourneauE. J.EllisD. A.Naar-KingS.CunninghamP. B., & FowlerS. L. (2010). Case study: Multisystemic therapy for adolescents who engage in HIV transmission risk behaviors. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 35, 120–127.
38.
LoganD. E., & MeltzerL. J. (2006). Growing up can be painful: A case report of the bat mitzvah and chronic pain. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 13, 291–297.
39.
LoweM. R.BunnellD. W.NeerenA. M.ChernyakY., & GrebermanL. (2011). Evaluating the real-world effectiveness of cognitive-behavior therapy efficacy research on eating disorders: A case study from a community-based clinical setting. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 44, 9–18.
40.
Lynch-JordanA. M.Kashikar-ZuckS.CrosbyL. E.LopezW. L.SmolyanskyB. H.ParkinsI. S.. . .PowersS. W. (2010). Applying quality improvement methods to implement a measurement system for chronic pain-related disability. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 35, 32–41.
41.
MartinC.SouthallA.LiveleyK.SheaE., & WhiteheadK. (2009). Multisystemic Therapy applied to the assessment and treatment of poorly controlled type 1 diabetes: A case study in the U.K. National Health Service. Clinical Case Studies, 8, 366–382. doi:10.1177/1534650109345155
42.
MasudaA.CohenL. L.WicksellR. K.KemaniM. K., & JohnsonA. (2011). A case study: Acceptance and commitment therapy for pediatric sickle cell disease. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 36, 398–408.
43.
MoonE. C.CorkumP., & SmithI. M. (2011). Case study: A case-series evaluation of a behavioral sleep intervention for three children with autism and primary insomnia. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 36, 47–54.
44.
MooneyG., & GurristerT. (2004). Behavioral treatment of psychogenic deafness: A case report. Rehabilitation Psychology, 49, 268–271.
45.
Naar-KingS.EllisD.KolmodinK.CunninghamP., & SecordE. (2009). Feasibility of adapting multisystemic therapy to improve illness management behaviors and reduce asthma morbidity in high risk African American youth: A case series. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 18, 564–573.
46.
O’BrienJ. M. (2011). Wounded healer: Psychotherapist grief over a client’s death. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 42, 236–243.
47.
PagotoS. L.SpringB.CoupsE. J.MulvaneyS.CoutuM. F., & OzakinciG. (2007). Barriers and facilitators of evidence-based practice perceived by behavioral science health professionals. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 63, 695–705.
48.
PalermoT. M.EcclestonC.LewandowskiA.WilliamsA., & MorleyS. (2010). Randomized controlled trials of psychological therapies for management of chronic pain in children and adolescents: An updated meta-analytic review. Pain, 148, 387–397.
49.
PalermoT. M., & ScherM. S. (2001). Treatment of functional impairment in severe somatoform pain disorder: A case example. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 26, 429–434.
50.
PeeblesR.SabellaC.FrancoK., & GoldfarbJ. (2005). Factitious disorder and malingering in adolescent girls: Case series and literature review. Clinical Pediatrics, 44, 237–243. doi:10.1177/000992280504400307
RabyC., & EdwardsD. (2011). Unrecognized hospital trauma as a source of complex psychiatric symptoms: A systematic case study with implications for children’s rights and evidence-based practice. Psychotherapy Research, 21, 541–553.
53.
RapoffM., & StarkL. (2008). Editorial: Journal of Pediatric Psychology—Statement of purpose: Section on single-subject studies. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 33, 16–21.
54.
RozenskyR. H. (2012). Health care reform: Preparing the psychology workforce. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 19, 5–11. doi:10.1007/s10880-011-9287-7
55.
ShawR. J.PalmerL.HyteH.YorginP., & SarwalM. (2001). Case study: Treatment adherence in a 13-year-old deaf adolescent male. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 6, 551–562. doi:10.1177/1359104501006004009
56.
SliferK. J.KruglakD.BenoreE.BellipanniK.FalkL.HalbowerA. C.. . .BeckM. (2007). Behavioral training for increasing preschool children’s adherence with positive airway pressure: A preliminary study. [Case Reports Research Support, N. I. H., Extramural]. Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 5, 147–175. doi:10.1080/15402000701190671
57.
SpauldingS. A.DevineK. A.DuncanC. L.WilsonN. W., & HoganM. B. (2012). Electronic monitoring and feedback to improve adherence in pediatric asthma. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 37, 64–74.
58.
TateR. L.McDonaldS.PerdicesM.TogherL.SchultzR., & SavageS. (2008). Rating the methodological quality of single-subject designs and n-of-1 trials: Introducing the Single-Case Experimental Design (SCED) Scale. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 18, 385–401.
59.
UmanL. S.ChambersC. T.McGrathP. J., & KiselyS. (2008). A systematic review of randomized controlled trials examining psychological interventions for needle-related procedural pain and distress in children and adolescents: An abbreviated Cochrane review. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 33, 842–854. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsn031
60.
University of Florida Gainesville Health Science Center. (2007). Institutional Review Board-01: Do you need approval for a case report?Retrieved fromhttp://irb.ufl.edu/irb01/help/case.html
VeilleuxJ. C. (2011). Coping with client death: Using a case study to discuss the effects of accidental, undetermined, and suicidal deaths on therapists. Professional Psychology-Research and Practice, 42, 222–228.
64.
WalkerL. S., & GreeneJ. W. (1991). The Functional Disability Inventory—Measuring a neglected dimension of child health-status. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 16, 39–58.
65.
WallaceD. P.SimL. A.HarrisonT. E.BruceB. K., & Harbeck-WeberC. (2012). Covert video monitoring in the assessment of medically unexplained symptoms in children. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 37, 329–337.
66.
WardC. M.BrinkmanT.SliferK. J., & ParanjapeS. M. (2010). Using behavioral interventions to assist with routine procedures in children with cystic fibrosis. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis, 9, 150–153.
67.
Ward-HornerJ., & SturmeyP. (2010). Component analyses using single-subject experimental designs: A review. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 43, 685–704.
