Risk perception in smokers with children with asthma

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Environmental Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Caregiver smoking poses significant health risks to children, particularly those with asthma.
• Limited research exists on the congruence of caregiver risk perceptions regarding their own health versus their child's health from smoking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the risk congruence hypothesis among smoking caregivers.
• To determine if caregivers' self-perceived risk of smoking aligns with their perception of smoking risks to their child.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 271 regular smoking caregivers of children with asthma was recruited.
• Self-report questionnaires assessed perceived risks (Precaution Effectiveness, Optimistic Bias, Perceived Vulnerability) to self and child.
• Child asthma morbidity and secondhand smoke exposure were also measured.

Main Results:

• Caregiver self-perceived risk of smoking was significantly associated with perceived risk to their child.
• This association remained significant even after accounting for child's secondhand smoke exposure and asthma symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Caregiver risk perceptions for themselves and their children are congruent.
• Findings inform the development of targeted clinical interventions to modify caregiver smoking behaviors and improve child health outcomes.