PREVALENCE OF ANXIETY DISORDERS IN A CLINIC-BASED SAMPLE OF PEDIATRICASTHMA PATIENTS

Psychosocial variables may affect the clinical course of childhood ast hma. In this study, 37 children with asthma were assessed for DSM-III- R anxiety disorders with the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schi zophrenia for School-Age Children and intrafamilial stress with the In dex of Family Relations. When compared with a healthy control group, t he asthma group had significantly more total anxiety disorders, past s chool problems, past psychiatric illnesses, and intrafamilial stress. There was also more family history of emotional problems in the asthma group. The implications of these findings for clinical management of this population are discussed.