Citation

Gartstein MA, Noll RB, Vannatta K. J. Appl. Dev. Psychol. 2000; 21(3): 315-333.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study evaluated the development of children with severe chronic illness 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. Additionally, the impact of childhood chronic illness, related biological variables, and parental monitoring on aggression were evaluated, controlling for potentially influential background characteristics (e.g., socioeconomic status) and difficult temperament. Results indicated that children with chronic conditions were perceived as less aggressive than COMPs by teachers and peers, whereas the mothers of children with chronic illness reported more aggressive behaviors than mothers of COMPs. In addition, fatigue, monitoring, and temperament had an impact on the level of aggression, and some support was obtained for monitoring as a moderator. Results indicated different perceptions of children with chronic illness in the classroom and at home. Disagreements over issues related to chronic illness (e.g., treatment compliance) could be responsible for the mothers' report of greater behavioral difficulties.