CHRONIC DISEASE AND PERCEIVED DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRESSION IN ADOLESCENCE

This study examined whether chronic illness causes delays in adolescen ts' perceived developmental status. Longitudinal data were obtained fr om 86 adolescents afflicted with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus a nd 103 healthy adolescents. The adolescents annually completed a quest ionnaire pertaining co their current developmental status and their de sired future developmental status in 11 age-specific developmental tas ks. Health status and physical maturity were also determined. In the f irst year of the study, the diabetics reported delays compared with th eir healthy peers in some developmental tasks, particularly physical m aturity and an independent lifestyle. However, the overall development al progression perceived by chronically ill adolescents was impressive . The difficulty of balancing normative development with the demands o f chronic illness is discussed.