Maternal Outcomes of a Randomized Controlled Trial of a Community-Based Support Program for Families of Children with Chronic Illnesses.

Evaluates maternal outcomes for a community-based support intervention targeted to families of children with certain chronic illnesses (diabetes, sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, and moderate to severe asthma). The 15-month intervention, which linked mothers of school-aged children with mothers of older children with the same condition, had beneficial effects on mothers' mental health status. Concludes that a well-designed family-to-family support program offers pediatricians a referral that can have important psychological benefits for mothers.