Self-perception of asthmatic children and modification through self-management programmes.

To examine the influence of asthma on patients' self-perceptions, 48 children with light to moderate asthma and 41 healthy children were selected to complete Harter's Self-perception Profile for children. No differences between the groups were observed. Then, to assess the effects of a psychological asthma treatment programme on self-perception, 27 of the asthmatic children were selected and allocated to three groups of 9 patients. The first of these groups received an asthma self-management programme, the second received that programme plus training in progressive relaxation, and the third (as control) only standard pharmacological treatment. Immediately after intervention and at 6- and 12-mo. follow-ups subjects again completed Harter's profile on which no significant changes were observed.