SELF-ESTEEM OF ASTHMATIC-CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS - A PILOT-STUDY

In order to evaluate the self-image of asthmatic children, we evaluate d 30 children at follow-up hospital visits and 21 controls, using ques tions from the Tennessee Self Concept Scale Questionnaire (96 items). The main points of the results were as follows: 1. The asthmatics had a lower self-esteem in comparison to the healthy children (p = 0.038). 2. Two subgroups among the asthmatics had a relatively higher scoring of self-image: (1) those who had practiced regular sport activity (p = 0.04) and (2) those who had received preventive treatment and had be en followed in the respiratory clinic in the hospital (p = 0.082). Acc ording to these findings, the recommendations for asthmatic children w ould include regular respiratory clinic follow-up visits in order to i ncrease the compliance of the asthmatic child in taking the preventive treatment for his or her perennial or seasonal asthma. Most important ly, the asthmatic child or adolescent should be directed to participat e in regular sport activities in one or more areas, at least during al l the years of bronchial hyperactive symptomatology.