The self-image of asthmatic adolescents.

The self-image of mildly asthmatic and severely asthmatic adolescents was compared through use of the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire (OSIQ). All those studied were seen in an outpatient private allergy practice. Comparisons were made for boys and girls separately, and the asthmatics' self-images also were compared to those of normal (nonasthmatic) subjects. Results showed no differences in self-image between mildly and severely asthmatic adolescents. Asthmatic girls' self-image was better than that of their normal counterparts in many areas. No differences between asthmatic boys' mean self-image scores and those of normal adolescent males were found. Implications were drawn for psychogenic theories of asthma and of adolescents' ability to cope with asthma, at least with asthma of the severity seen in an outpatient practice.