The impact of chronic asthma on the developing child: observations made in a group setting

Fourteen asthmatic children between 11 and 14 years of age participated in weekly group discussion sessions for nine months. The purposes were to allow open discussion about asthma, to mutually educate the children and staff about the medical and social implications of their disease and to give the patients a chance to deal with adults without fear of reprimand or betrayal of trust. Anger, envy, fear, sadness and guilt were the emotions predominant in the sessions. Group sessions may offer a further modality in the total care of the asthmatic child.