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Spectrum of asthma in children. 3. Psychological and social components
Insights
Severe asthma in children is linked to behavioral issues and family stress. Over-protective maternal behavior was noted in children with persistent asthma, impacting family dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Family Studies
Background:
- Asthma is a common chronic childhood illness.
- The impact of asthma on child behavior and family dynamics is not fully understood.
- Previous research suggests a link between chronic illness and psychosocial challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate behavioral disturbances in children with asthma.
- To examine mother-child and family relationships in asthmatic families.
- To compare these factors with a control group of healthy children.
Main Methods:
- A representative sample of asthmatic children and a control group of normal children were studied.
- Behavioral disturbances, mother-child interactions, and family social structures were assessed.
- Physiological assessments of airway obstruction and allergic manifestations were conducted.
Main Results:
- Behavioral disturbances were significantly more frequent in children with severe, persistent asthma.
- These children exhibited severe chronic airways obstruction and significant allergic manifestations.
- Mothers of children with persistent asthma showed over-concern for their child's health.
- Families of severely affected children reported higher stress levels.
- No significant socioeconomic differences were found between asthmatic and control groups.
Conclusions:
- Severe childhood asthma is associated with increased behavioral disturbances.
- Family dynamics, particularly mother-child over-protection, are affected by severe asthma.
- Psychosocial support for families of children with severe asthma is crucial.
Abstract:
Behavioural disturbances in the child, the mother-child and family relationships, and the family social structure were studied in a representative sample of the whole range of asthmatic children and compared with a control group of normal children. Behavioural disturbances occurred more often and at a statistically significant level only in the small group of children with severe and continuing asthma. These children were those with severe chronic airways obstruction as assessed physiologically and also with the most severe allergic manifestations.Predominant in the mother-child relations was an over-concern to protect the child's health in those children with continuing asthma at 14 years of age. The families of the very severely affected group of children showed evidence of more stress than other families. Socioeconomic conditions were not significantly different in any group of asthmatic children compared with the control group.