PEER RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN WITH TOURETTES DISORDER OR DIABETES-MELLITUS

Peer relationships, social skills, self-esteem, parental psychopatholo gy, and family functioning of children with Tourette's disorder and a chronic disease control group of children with diabetes mellitus were compared. Children with Tourette's disorder had poorer peer relationsh ips than their classmates and were more likely to have extreme scores reflecting increased risk for peer relationship problems than children with diabetes mellitus, but did not report self-esteem problems or so cial skills deficits. Measures of peer relationships were not related to severity or duration of ties. Children with Tourette's disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder were at increased risk for p oor peer relationships. The psychosocial problems of children with Tou rette's disorder do not appear to be the generic result of having a ch ronic disease.