Psychological development as related to puberty, body height and severity of illness in adolescents with cystic fibrosis.

The interrelations between delayed puberty, small stature, severity of illness and psychological development were studied in 64 adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF). The study included 36 adolescents with asthma bronchiale, 47 adolescents with small stature (height less than 25th percentile) and 71 healthy controls with a height greater than or equal to 25th percentile. All adolescents and the parents of 40 youngsters with CF had extensive personal interviews. Eight aspects of independence and related aspects of self-perception were measured. In CF, delayed puberty and small stature were clearly correlated with less participation in some social activities, a lesser degree of ideal-formation and a less positive body attitude. Small stature appeared to have the same effects in healthy adolescents. Severity of illness in CF and asthma played a role of secondary importance. In general, the perceptions of parents were similar to or slightly more pessimistic than the self-perceptions of their CF children. The need for psychosexual counselling and training in social skills for adolescents with CF is stressed.