Children's Perceptions of Ill Peers: Effects of Disease, Grade, and Impact Variables

This study examined children's perceptions of peers with a chronic illness. Accounts of hypothetical peers were manipulated in a multivariate design with four types of disease label (diabetes, asthma, AIDS, or cystic fibrosis), three grade levels (4, 5, 6), and two levels of impact (high or low degree of inhibiting physical activity). Participants did not differentiate the diseases regarding acceptance of the peer or attributions of contagiousness. Fourth graders were least accepting of the described peers and attributed more contagion to all diseases. The peer with AIDS was rated as more responsible for the disease than the others. Implications for clinical interventions are made.