Differences in color preferences of well school-age children and those in varying stages of illness.

Abstract

The purpose of this descriptive comparative study was to determine the preferences in color of 89 children ages 7-12 who were well and those in varying states of ill health. The authors collected information about diagnoses, days hospitalized, siblings, and projective information. Data were analyzed using chi-square statistics. Independent variables of sex, age, and health were examined in a multivariate manner by fitting logistic regression models having indicator regressor variables to represent the various levels of these factors. The only regressor for these models that was significant was health state. Significant differences were found (p < .05 level) in color preferences of (a) children with adjustment problems and those who were well; (b) children with adjustment problems and those who were ill; (c) acutely ill and chronically ill children; and (d) physically disabled and acutely ill children. Significant differences were also found in color preferences of children ages 7-9 and 10-12.