[Elements in the communication and social contacts of chronically ill and healthy pupils in the upper school ages (a questionnaire study)].

This inquiry, carried out in the city of Sofia, covered 247 students with chronic affections and 389 healthy students in the age range 15-18 years. As shown by the results, both student groups gave preference to an environment outside the home and school: they like it better to be among friends, in a friendly circle. In case problems arise, the ambiance of friends is again leading: 16.6% prefer to "share with friends", and only 7.8% "turn for advice to parents". The chronically ill were found significantly more often (p < 0.001) to feel "isolated" and "lonely" among their peers: their social communicability and, respectively, their level of adaptation to an adult environment was negatively affected.