About

Lamia P. Barakat, PhD, is a Professor of Clinical Psychology in Pediatrics (Oncology) at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She is a member of the Academic Affairs Committee in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, as well as a member of the Psychology Training Advisory Committee at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Barakat serves as the Director of the Behavioral Oncology Program at the Center for Childhood Cancer Research within the CHOP Research Institute and is a member of the CRISSP Faculty Advisory Committee. Her clinical expertise focuses on evidence-based interventions to improve disease management and adaptation among children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer and their caregivers during active treatment and survivorship. She specializes in psychosocial screening and assessment in pediatric oncology to enhance cancer outcomes and reduce disparities in care, and she is involved in setting and implementing standards for psychosocial care in pediatric oncology. Her research program examines risk-and-resistance models of adaptation to pediatric chronic conditions, with particular attention to sociodemographic and family factors influencing quality of life and disease management in pediatric hematology and oncology. She also investigates translating these models into empirically supported interventions aimed at improving disease management, school functioning, and quality of life in pediatric populations. Her active research includes assessing posttraumatic stress and growth in childhood cancer survivors and their caregivers, as well as understanding barriers to clinical trial participation and engagement of adolescents and young adults with cancer in treatment decision-making.

Research topics

• Psychology
• Medicine
• Clinical psychology
• Psychiatry
• Psychotherapist

Selected publications

• Characterizing Engagement With a Mobile Health Application Designed for Adolescents and Young Adults With Sickle Cell Disease: Findings From the COMETS Study

  Pediatric Blood & Cancer · 2026-03-17

  article

  The transition from pediatric to adult care for adolescents with sickle cell disease is marked by increased disease complexity. The effectiveness of a mobile health (mHealth) application in supporting transition was evaluated in the COMETS (Community Health Worker and Mobile Health Programs) trial. Participant engagement with the mHealth application was evaluated in this study. The component SMS Text Messages had the highest number of unique users (n = 94), and interaction with application health and behavior tracking challenges had the highest median interactions per user (median = 4.5). Most participants engaged with the mHealth application at least once, yet engagement varied across components and declined over the course of the study.

  PublisherDOI

• Implementation of a Universal Psychosocial Screening Program Across the Pediatric Cancer Treatment Trajectory: A Standard of Care

  Research Square · 2026-05-13

  preprintOpen access1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Decisional conflict and physiological dysregulation among adolescents and young adults with cancer

  Journal of Psychosocial Oncology · 2025-06-06

  articleOpen access

  PURPOSE: Adolescents and young adults with cancer (AYA) are faced with making several cancer-related decisions daily (e.g. managing pain/fatigue). Many of these decisions involve uncertainty (e.g. feeling uninformed about alternatives, feeling unsupported about making a choice), even under ideal conditions that have implications for health (e.g. wear and tear on the body). The present study examined relationships between decisional conflict within cancer-related decision-making and physiological responding. METHODS: Participants included 18 AYAs on active cancer treatment, diagnosed within the past 2 years. Participation included two days of salivary samples (assessing cortisol) followed by a 7-day collection of decisional conflict within cancer-related decision-making. Associations between decisional conflict and the cortisol awakening response (CAR) were examined. RESULTS: Decisional conflict was significantly associated with a smaller (i.e. blunted) cortisol awakening response, reflecting cortisol dysregulation. CONCLUSION: Results from this study add to an emerging body of literature focused on the role of decisional conflict and physiological stress responding enhancing our understanding of decisional processes that may impact stress systems among AYAs undergoing cancer treatment.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Pediatric sickle cell disease: Implications for child health and development.

  American Psychological Association eBooks · 2025-01-01

  book-chapter
  PublisherDOI

• Community Health Worker and Mobile Health Interventions for Quality of Life Among Young Adults With Sickle Cell Disease

  JAMA Network Open · 2025-11-17 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  Importance: Young adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience challenges transitioning from pediatric to adult care, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of community health worker (CHW) support or a mobile health application (mHealth) compared with enhanced usual care (EUC) in improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for young adults with SCD transitioning to adult care. Design, Setting, and Participants: The Community Health Workers and Mobile Health for Emerging Adults Transitioning Sickle Cell Disease Care study was an observer-blinded, multicenter, randomized clinical trial performed at 5 US children's hospitals with a recruitment period from January 15, 2019, to December 31, 2022, and data analysis performed from September 30, 2024, to June 30, 2025. Participants were 17 years or older with SCD. Interventions: Participants were randomized 1:1:1 to 6 months of EUC, CHW plus EUC, or mHealth plus EUC. Both interventions included goal setting, self-management, skill development, symptom tracking, and transition support. The CHW plus EUC intervention provided weekly synchronous support primarily via phone calls, while mHealth plus EUC offered virtual peer support via interaction with discussion boards. The EUC group received standard care consisting of a transition checklist for consistency across sites. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcome was HRQOL, assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) for SCD module. Clinically meaningful improvement was prespecified as a 10-point change. Secondary outcomes included SCD knowledge, transition readiness, and social support. All outcomes were collected at baseline and follow-ups at 6, 12, and 18 months. Results: Of the 700 eligible patients across the 5 sites, 405 were enrolled, and 375 participants with SCD were randomized, 191 (51.5%) of whom were women. The mean (SD) age was 18.9 (1.9) years; the median age was 18.0 (IQR, 17-20) years. Baseline demographic data, clinical characteristics, and markers of disease severity were comparable across the study groups. At 6 months, the CHW plus EUC group showed modest improvements in HRQOL compared with the EUC group at 2.67 (95% CI, 0.25-5.09) at 6 months; there was no change for the mHealth plus EUC group at 0.73 (95% CI, -1.48 to 2.93) at 6 months; and the EUC group had a decline of 2.58 (95% CI, -4.67 to -0.49). CHW support demonstrated the greatest improvement in PedsQL scores compared with EUC at 6 (5.25 [95% CI, 2.05-8.45] points), 12 (5.56 [95% CI, 1.52-9.61] points), and 18 (6.14 [95% CI, 1.75-10.54] points) months. The mHealth plus EUC intervention demonstrated improvement in PedsQL scores at 6 months only (3.31 [95% CI, 0.27-6.35] points). Throughout the study, the HRQOL for the EUC group declined. No significant differences were found in secondary outcomes. Conclusions and Relevance: Although neither intervention met the prespecified 10-point threshold for a large clinical effect, the CHW intervention produced a significant and durable improvement in HRQOL that halted the decline observed in EUC. This sustained effect during the 18 months of follow-up suggests that CHW support provides a clinically relevant benefit for young adults with SCD during their transition to adult care. Integrating such programs into routine care could improve outcomes for this vulnerable population. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03648710.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Topical review: family psychosocial risk screening and social determinants of health assessment

  Journal of Pediatric Psychology · 2025-01-28 · 4 citations

  reviewSenior author

  OBJECTIVE: Social-ecological factors are highly congruent with social determinants of health (SDOH): Economic Stability; Educational Access/Quality; Healthcare Access/Quality; Neighborhood/Built Environment; and Social/Community Context. In this topical review, the correspondence of social-ecological theory with SDOH and assessment approaches is reviewed. The Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT) is used to show how existing tools may facilitate SDOH screening. METHODS: SDOH are defined, and their link to pediatric health outcomes is presented, followed by a review of the social-ecological model. Feasible, valid, and actionable approaches to assessment of social ecology and SDOH are presented with a focus on the PAT, a brief caregiver report screener based on social-ecological theory, validated in English, Spanish, and in multiple conditions and adapted/translated internationally. Multidisciplinary healthcare providers (n = 25) completed an online survey, indicating whether each PAT item fit into SDOH categories. RESULTS: Despite different approaches to assessing SDOH, there are few feasible and evidence-based approaches. Most PAT items (78%) were consistent with one of the SDOH categories by the majority of raters. PAT items corresponded to all five SDOH categories. Some items about child behavior and family were not categorized as an SDOH, reflecting the broader context of screening with the PAT. CONCLUSION: The assessment of SDOH is a priority, but approaches to assessment and linking outcomes to intervention remain underdeveloped. As an evidence-based screener in pediatric healthcare, based on social-ecological and public health models, the PAT may provide a means of identifying relevant SDOH in pediatric practice.

  PublisherDOI

• Profil clinique et épidémiologique de la fibrose rétropéritonéale dans un service de médécine interne

  Revue Internationale Médico-Chirurgicale · 2025-05-01

  articleOpen access

  Introduction : La fibrose rétro péritonéale (FRP) est une pathologie rare, caractérisée par la présence d’un tissu fibro-inflammatoire qui se forme souvent autour de la portion sous-rénale de l’aorte abdominale et des artères iliaques. (1) Dont l'incidence et la prévalence précises sont mal connues. La FRP a un polymorphisme clinique et étiologique. Notre objectif était d’étudier le profil épidémiologique, clinique et étiologique de la FRP retrouvé chez nos patients. Matériels et méthodes : Il s’agit d’une étude monocentrique rétrospective menée dans un service de médecine interne sur une période de 8 ans (2015 –2023). Le principal critère d’inclusion était la mise en évidence d’une plaque de FRP par tomodensitométrie (TDM) et/ou par imagerie par résonance magnétique (IRM). Résultats : Il s’agit de 8 hommes (53.33 %) et 7 femmes (46.66 %), dont l’âge moyen au moment du diagnostic était de 43.1 ans .Le sex ratio était estimé à 1.14. Le délai moyen du diagnostic était de 8 mois (extrêmes : 3–12 mois). La pathologie était révélée par des lombalgies isolées chez 9 cas (60 %), des lombalgies associées à une insuffisance rénale obstructif chez 6 patients ( 40 %) , compliquée par une anurie chez 3 cas et associée à une fièvre prolongée chez 2 cas . Le diagnostic de la fibrose rétro péritonéale a été confirmé par la réalisation d’une TDM abdomino-pelvien chez tous nos patients, elle a objectivé une classe III chez 9 patients (60 %) et une classe III et IV chez 6 cas (40 %). Elle a permis de préciser qu’il s’agissait d’une FRP bilatérale dans 3 cas (20 %) et unilatérale dans 12 cas ( 80%). Cet examen a pu révéler une dilatation des CPC dans 6 cas (40 %). Une échographie abdomino-pelvienne a été réalisé chez 6 patients où elle a objectivé une dilatation des cavités pyélocalicielles dans 6 cas (40 %). le bilan biologique réalisé a objectivé un syndrome inflammatoire isolé chez 5 patients (33.3 %) et associé à une insuffisance rénale chez 6 patients avec un débit de filtration moyen estimé à 43 ml / min ( 40 %). Le bilan immunologique a objectivé la positivité des anticorps anti Igg4 chez un seul patient (6.66 % ) .Le bilan de tuberculose était réalisé chez tous les patients objectivant un quantiféron négatif chez 12 patients (80 %) et fortement positif chez 3 patients, chez ces derniers un genxpert dans le lavage bronchoalvéolaire a été réalisé revenu positif . Une biopsie a été réalisée chez 4 patients ( 26.66 %) confirmant une histiocytose chez une patiente et un lymphome chez un seul patient et le résultat n’était pas concluant chez deux patients. Pour le profil étiologique la FRP était idiopathique chez 9 cas (60 % ) , secondaire a une histiocytose chez une seule patiente ( 6.66 % ), un lymphome chez un seul patient (6.66%) , un syndrome d hperIgg4 chez un seul patient (6.66 % ) , secondaire à une tuberculose pulmonaire confirmé par la positivité du genexpert dans le lavage broncho alveolaire chez 3 cas (20 % ) , dont l’un présentait une maladie de Takayasu qui a été retenu selon les critéres ACR1990 devant une claudication intermittente des 2 membre supérieures , une asymétrie tensionelle supérieur à 10 mmhg , un âge inférieur à 40 ans et un épaissement pariétale des artères carotides et des artères rénales et l’autre une maladie de Behçet associé qui a été retenu selon les critères internationaux devant une aphtose buccale et génitale récidivantes associé à une atteinte vasculaire faite d’une thrombose de la veine fémorale gauche . Sur le plan thérapeutique . Une corticothérapie a été indiquée chez 14 patients (93.33 %) , une chimiothérapie a été démarré chez un seul patient (6.66%) . une montée de sonde JJ chez 6 patients (40 %) . L’évolution était marquée par une régression de la plaque de FRP dans 7 cas (46.66%) , une stabilisation dans 6 cas (40 %) insuffisance rénale chronique chez 2 patients (13.33% ) , ce qui a nécessité un retrait de la sonde 3 mois après. Discussion et conclusion : La FRP est une maladie rare, le plus souvent idiopathique. La démarche diagnostique n’est pas codifiée; cependant la réalisation systématique d’une biopsie ne semble pas justifiée en absence d’éléments cliniques et/ou paracliniques d’orientation.. Les corticoïdes sont le traitement de référence, utilisés en monothérapie ou en association avec d’autres agents médicamenteux. En cas d’échec la chirurgie peut être proposée. Récemment, des techniques minimalement invasives ont été utilisées.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Evaluating a Self- and Family Management Framework for Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Brain Tumors

  Journal of Family Nursing · 2025-02-09 · 1 citations

  articleSenior author

  This study evaluated adaptations to the revised Self- and Family Management Framework aimed at enhancing support for families of young adult survivors of childhood brain tumors (YAS). Baseline data from condition-focused caregivers of YAS ( N = 53) examined correlations between the Framework’s Facilitators and Barriers (individual/contextual/clinical factors), Processes (caregiver problem-solving), Proximal Outcomes (YAS self-management, caregiver family management), and Distal Outcomes (YAS/caregiver HRQOL). All aspects of family management were associated with YAS HRQOL; only Parent Mutuality was associated with caregiver HRQOL. Problem-solving was partially supported as a process linked to family management and caregiver HRQOL. Individual/contextual/clinical factors were not associated with problem-solving. Self-management was not associated with problem-solving or HRQOL. Interventions grounded in concepts of family management may improve YAS HRQOL and have future potential for family nursing practice. Further research is needed to understand the divergence between HRQOL findings, partial support for problem-solving, and lack of associations with individual/contextual/clinical factors, and self-management.

  PublisherDOI

• Manifestations osseuses révélant une maladie de gaucher chez l’adulte

  Revue Internationale Médico-Chirurgicale · 2025-05-01

  articleOpen access

  La maladie de Gaucher (MG) est une maladie de surcharge lysosomale caractérisée par le stockage de glucosylcéramide dans les macrophages (« cellules de Gaucher »), principalement dans le système réticulo-endothélial. La maladie de Gaucher de type 1 (MG1) est le phénotype le plus fréquent qui se manifeste généralement par une hépatosplénomégalie, des cytopénies et une atteinte osseuse. Les manifestations osseuses sont la caractéristique la plus débilitante et entraînent une morbidité importante. Nous décrivons un cas de MG1 qui s'est d'abord manifesté par des crises osseuses douloureuses. Ce cas souligne l'importance de considérer la MG dans le diagnostic différentiel des crises osseuses, des nécroses avasculaires, des infarctus osseux et des fractures non traumatiques. Un diagnostic et un traitement précoces permettent d'améliorer l'évolution de la maladie et d'éviter des séquelles irréversibles.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Multifocal Tuberculosis Revealed by Cutaneous Abscesses in an Immunocompetent Patient

  2025-04-15

  article

  International audience

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• NIH Grant U54HL070585

  NIH · $3.2M · 2013

• NIH Grant RC1MD004418

  NIH · $813k · 2012

Frequent coauthors

• Lisa A. Schwartz

  Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

  172 shared

• Anne E. Kazak

  Thomas Jefferson University

  151 shared

• Janet A. Deatrick

  Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

  87 shared

• Lauren C. Daniel

  Virginia Commonwealth University

  86 shared

• Yimei Li

  Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

  65 shared

• Kim Smith‐Whitley

  Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

  56 shared

• Wendy L. Hobbie

  Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

  51 shared

• Alexandra M. Psihogios

  Northwestern University

  50 shared

Education

• PhD, Psychology

  University of South Carolina

  1991