Temperament and chronic illness in egyptian children

Abstract

Previous studies have found that chronic illness in children influences the temperament of the child and the parents perception of the childs behavior. However, it remains unclear how specific illnesses may be related to temperamental characteristics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in temperament characteristics for three types of chronic illnesses (leukemia, congenital heart disease, and asthma) in a sample of 75 Egyptian children. Temperament of chronically ill young children (ages 3–6 years) was also compared to temperament of healthy Egyptian children. Temperament was assessed by the Preschool Characteristic Questionnaire which examines four factors of temperament: persistent, negative adaptation, difficult and irregular. Chronically ill children were rated as more persistent, less adaptable, and more difficult, when compared to healthy Egyptian children. Children with leukemia were perceived by their mothers as more difficult and more irregular than children with congenital heart disease or asthma. Gender, severity and type of illness were related to temperament scores.