title: Social challenges for children with hemophilia: child and parent perspectives.
abstract: The impact of pediatric chronic illness on peer relations and social adjustment in nine school-aged boys with hemophilia was examined using qualitative interview methods. Literature on boys' psychosocial development provided a theoretical perspective to interpret findings. Three main themes emerged from the interviews: Awareness of difference, efforts to conceal difference, and efforts to connect with peers and friends. Findings suggest that hemophilia may be a socially stigmatizing condition for many boys because it limits gender-typical interactions with same-sex peers. Recommendations are offered for research on interventions to assist children in communicating with peers about their health condition and to involve close friends and parents in such interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work at Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina 28608-2155, USA. williamska3@appstate.edu
authors.forename: Kelly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Mimi V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Chapman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment