Identified peer relationships in children with chronic illnesses as an
important but neglected, research area. This study compared 21 childr
en with asthma, ages 8-13, with 21 matched classroom controls on a num
ber of measures of peer relationship adjustment, including both self-r
eport and peer-report items. Overall, the children with asthma had pee
r relationships that were equivalent to those of their classmates, alt
hough they were seen as being sicker and missing more school. However,
those children who experienced more hospitalizations were less prefer
red as playmates, perceived as more sensitive-isolated, and felt more
lonely. Implications for intervention are considered, and the notion o
f asthma severity and its measurement is also discussed.