Online support for children with asthma and allergies

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
• Child Psychology
• Digital Health Interventions

Background:

• Children with asthma and allergies often face social isolation and lack peer support.
• Effective interventions are needed to address the psychosocial needs of these children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and evaluate an accessible online peer support intervention for children aged 7-11 with asthma and allergies.
• To assess the feasibility and engagement of the online support program.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 27 children (aged 7-11) across Canada.
• Utilized GoToMeeting for weekly 8-week support group sessions and Club Penguin for social interaction.
• Intervention content included coping strategies, role-playing, games, and role model presentations.

Main Results:

• High participation rates (86.3% average attendance) over the 8-week intervention.
• Children engaged in sharing experiences, peer listening, and role-playing activities.
• Participants learned practical skills such as problem-solving, communication, seeking support, and self-advocacy.

Conclusions:

• The online peer support intervention was well-attended and engaging for children with asthma and allergies.
• The program effectively introduced practical skills to help children manage their conditions and social challenges.
• Online platforms can be a viable tool for delivering accessible psychosocial support to pediatric populations.