Depressive symptoms within the clinical range were reported in 26 percent of the children (ages 7-17) and 43 percent of their mothers; symptom severity varied across the scales administered. Self-reported depressive symptoms were more strongly associated with asthma activity than clinician-reported or parent-reported symptoms. Parents' depressive symptoms correlated with their child's depression scores, but not with their asthma activity. The authors conclude that self-report measures may be the preferred tool for assessing the link between depression and asthma activity, since they are likely to reveal the depressive symptoms that are connected to physical conditions that impede breathing. Treating such symptoms can have life-saving value. The study sample consisted of 129 children, ages 7 to 17, who were recruited from a hospital emergency department after presenting for asthma symptoms. The majority of the children were from disadvantaged, inner city families. The activity of asthma in the children was assessed with a combination of self-reports, parent-reports, and clinician-reported measures. Parental emotional status was determined by self-reports. 3 tables and 59 references