Support from Friends Matters for Children with Chronic Illnesses

Parents and friends are the usual social supports for children with chronic illnesses. Perceptions of inadequate support are associated with behavioral problems and poor adherence to treatment. Parental behaviors intended to be supportive can be counterproductive if they are perceived as rejection or overprotection. For example, avoidance or disengaged behaviors can lead the child to feel rejected, isolated, or at fault for ongoing distress. To examine whether positive social connections with friends can buffer negative effects of parental behaviors in children with chronic illnesses, researchers analyzed responses to six standardized questionnaires that assessed children's perceptions of support and strain from parents and friends, as well…