[The illness concept of children--review of the literature].

In this literature review a group of studies concerning illness concepts of children are discussed. Most of these studies are based on one of the three theory models of cognitive development as the main factor of development of illness concepts, the attributional theory (health locus of control) or the health belief model based on health seeking behaviour. The results yielded by these theories are comparable to a limited extent only. The development of children's illness concepts seems to be mainly influenced by age, developmental stage, self-consciousness and family ties.