Peer relationship problems in children with Tourette's disorder or diabetes mellitus

Peer relationships, social skills, self-esteem, parental psychopathology, and family functioning of children with Tourette's disorder and a chronic disease control group of children with diabetes mellitus were compared. Children with Tourette's disorder had poorer peer relationships than their classmates and were more likely to have extreme scores reflecting increased risk for peer relationship problems than children with diabetes mellitus, but did not report self-esteem problems or social skills deficits. Measures of peer relationships were not related to severity or duration of tics. Children with Tourette's disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder were at increased risk for poor peer relationships. The psychosocial problems of children with Tourette's disorder do not appear to be the generic result of having a chronic disease.