Perceptions of asthma severity: the role of negative affectivity

The role of negative affectivity on patients' perceptions of and behavior during asthma attacks was explored among 47 asthmatic subjects. Patients completed 17 to 30 daily questionnaires assessing negative affect, asthma perception, additional drug intake, search for medical assistance, and peak-flow measures of respiratory distress. Asthma perceptions were correlated with negative affect and educational level; the perception of the asthma severity, but not negative affect, did predict behavior during an attack. The importance of symptom perceptions for the clinical management of chronic asthma is underscored.