Childhood aggression and chronic illness: Possible protective mechanisms

This study evaluated the development of children with severe chronic illnes s and matched comparison peers (COMPs) who were not chronically ill over a 2-year period. Differences between children with chronic illness and COMPs in the levels of aggression in the classroom and at home were examined. Add itionally, the impact of childhood chronic illness. related biological vari ables. and parental monitoring on aggression were evaluated, control ling f or potentially influential background characteristics (e.g., socioeconomic status) and difficult temperament. Results indicated that children with chr onic conditions were perceived as less aggressive than COMPs by teachers an d peers, whereas the mothers of children with chronic illness reported more aggressive behaviors than mothers of COMPs. In addition. fatigue, monitori ng, and temper ament had an impact on the level of aggression, and some sup port was obtained for monitoring as a moderator. Results indicated differen t perceptions of children with chronic illness in the classroom and at home . Disagreements over issues related to chronic illness (e.g., treatment com pliance) could be responsible for the mothers' report of greater behavioral difficulties.