A multiperspective investigation of social competence in children with sickle cell disease

Compared the social competence and self-perceptions of 4- to 8-year-old children with sickle cell disease (SCD) to a comparison group of healthy children. Social competence ratings were obtained from multiple perspectives, including parents, teachers, and clinic staff members; children provided ratings of self-perceived acceptance and competence. Children in the SCD group were rated as socially competent as their peers in the comparison group and the normative group. Differences across raters were found, however, with parents in the SCD group giving higher ratings than clinic staff members. No differences were revealed between children in the SCD group and the comparison group in their self-perceptions of competence and acceptance. Implications for future studies addressing the situational specificity of social competence and its relevance to health care of chronically ill children are discussed.