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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Daphne Koinis Mitchell, MA, EdM and Karla Klein Murdock, PhD. Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125, 617-287-6392, dkoinismitchell@aol.com
Asthma remains a major public health problem among minority children living in inner city, low-income areas. This group may face additional stressors (e.g., poverty, discrimination) that increase functional impairment (e.g., increased emergency visits, restriction in activities) and psychological disturbances (e.g., emotional, social difficulties). Considering the social and emotional responses to asthma remains essential to children’s positive overall health. Enhancing coping strategies may promote beneficial physical and psychological functioning in children with asthma.
The current study examines coping strategies and asthma-related functioning in thirty, 8-10 year old, inner-city children. Adaptive responses to asthma-related and other life stresses are identified and may assist researchers, clinicians, and policy makers develop culturally sensitive health care programs and treatments for this group. Higher levels of active and avoidant coping strategies are significantly related to more participation in activities and recommended asthma management behaviors. Exploratory analyses of qualitative data reveal that 78% of children use active and support-seeking coping strategies when faced with asthma. Parents reported using active and relational coping strategies when faced with their child’s asthma-related stress.
The results from this study have public health implications and practical significance in (a) contributing to the design of pediatric interventions that enhance the management of asthma-related behaviors and psychosocial well-being, (b) identifying optimal coping strategies that help children face asthma and several sociocontextual barriers (e.g., poverty, lack of access to health care), and (c) improving the quality of asthma clinical service delivery, assessment, access to care, and future asthma health care policies for this under-served group.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to
Keywords: Child Health, Psychological Indicators
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.