A sample of 62 asthmatic children was divided into two subgroups on the basis of scores on the Allergic Potential Scale (APS)--an index of somatic or constitutional predisposition to allergy. The subgroups were compared, together with the associated mothers, on a variety of independent psychological tests and standardized interactional situations. The hypothesis that psychopathological factors would be observed significantly more often in the children identified by low APS scores, and their mothers, was supported. It was shown that the two groups were comparable with respect to the degree of severity of asthma and socioeconomic level. The results attest to the fruitfulness of seeking subgroups and suggest that a differentiated approach to asthma reconciles some findings in the literature which otherwise appear to be contradictory. The APS may prove useful, not only in other research, but as a guide for differential treatment of asthmatic children.
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Block et al. (1964) studied this question.