Behavioral Problems of Asthmatic Children

Abstract

Behavioral problems of 116 children with asthma were studied at the Linn Medical Center in Haifa, Israel, where they were under treatment. Parents were administered a medical questionnaire and the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist. The study examines the relationship between asthmatic children of various levels of severity of the illness and behavioral problems. A comparison was made among the Achenbach scale, level of compliance with treatment procedures, and level of severity of the illness. Another comparison was made between age groups and level of behavioral problems. Significant differences were found between all three illness severity groups and two variables—somatic complaints and social problems. Differences were also found between age groups for the withdrawn variable.