PSYCHOSOCIAL ADJUSTMENT AND THE ROLE OF FUNCTIONAL STATUS FOR CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA

This study examined the psychosocial adjustment of children with asthm a compared to children with diabetes, with cancer, and healthy childre n and the role of functional status in psychosocial adjustment. The to tal sample included 100 children, aged 8-16 years, (mean = 11.5 years) , consisting of 48 boys and 52 girls. Children with asthma scored sign ificantly higher on measures of affective adjustment (depression and i nternalizing behavior), significantly lower on self-esteem, and eviden ced significantly greater functional impairment. Children with cancer missed significantly more school days. After controlling for functiona l status, no significant differences remained in affective adjustment but absences remained significantly higher for the children with cance r.