A MULTIPERSPECTIVE INVESTIGATION OF SOCIAL COMPETENCE IN CHILDREN WITH SICKLE-CELL DISEASE

Compared the social competence and self-perceptions of 4- to 8-year-ol d children with sickle cell disease (SCD) to a comparison group of hea lthy children. Social competence ratings were obtained from multiple p erspectives, including parents, teachers, and clinic staff members; ch ildren provided ratings of self-perceived acceptance and competence. C hildren in the SCD group were rated as socially competent as their pee rs in the comparison group and the normative group. Differences across raters were found, however, with parents in the SCD group giving high er ratings than clinic staff members. No differences were revealed bet ween children in the SCD group and the comparison group in their self- perceptions of competence and acceptance. Implications for future stud ies addressing the situational specificity of social competence and it s relevance to health care of chronically ill children are discussed.