Temperament of asthmatic children. A preliminary study.

The temperamental profile of a group of 12 asthmatic children between 3 and 7 years of age was compared to those of two comparison groups, each consisting of 12 normal well children and 12 children of the same age range with chronic eczema, allergic rhinitis, or both, but without asthma. The children with asthma differed significantly from the comparison groups in their temperamental profile, which was characterized by lower rhythmicity (reguluarity), lower adaptability, lower intensity of reaction, lower mood value, and lower persistence. The results indicate the need for further longitudinal studies of large populations of children with asthma to explore the implications and behavioral consequences of "the asthma temperament, and its interaction with other developmental factors.