Asthma and Parenting: Parents' Perspectives on the Challenges of Paediatric Asthma and Desired Assistance

Ms Caroline Gregory (). Asthma and Parenting: Parents' Perspectives on the Challenges of Paediatric Asthma and Desired Assistance Professional Doctorate, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland.

       
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Author Ms Caroline Gregory
Thesis Title Asthma and Parenting: Parents' Perspectives on the Challenges of Paediatric Asthma and Desired Assistance
School, Centre or Institute School of Psychology
Institution The University of Queensland
Thesis type Professional Doctorate
Supervisor Dr Alina Morawska
Total pages 193
Abstract/Summary Asthma is the most common chronic illness of childhood in Australia, affecting approximately 12% of children aged 0-15 years. Parents play a crucial role in ensuring effective asthma management for children, yet there is a paucity of literature examining the general difficulties experienced by parents and factors that contribute to sub-optimal management. The purpose of this research was to determine the feasibility and utility of an intervention for parents of children with asthma, and to identify the child behaviours and asthma management tasks parents find most problematic, as well as the assistance they desire. A single-case evaluation of a tailored parenting intervention was conducted concurrent with an online survey and parent interview study. Participants in the three studies were parents of children with asthma aged 2-12 years, recruited via school newsletter advertisements throughout Australia and from a local clinic population. Results indicated that the most problematic child behaviours were anxiety associated with breathing difficulties, forgetting the inhaler, and complaining about symptoms. The most problematic management tasks were identifying and avoiding asthma triggers, and recognising and managing an attack. Nearly half of parents surveyed (49.7%) were concerned about how to best manage their child’s asthma, while over a third (37.1%) desired additional assistance with managing their child’s asthma. Evaluation of the parenting intervention indicated a reduction in the frequency of problematic asthma-related child behaviours and parenting tasks, and an increase in parental confidence in managing both behaviours and management tasks. There was also a clinically significant improvement in parenting style and reduction in general behaviour difficulties, which were maintained at follow-up. This research offers preliminary support for the feasibility and utility of a tailored parenting intervention in assisting parents to better manage children’s behaviour and to improve asthma-related health outcomes.
Keyword Asthma, parenting, adherence, behavioural family intervention

 
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Created: Mon, 14 Jun 2010, 15:54:32 EST by Ms Caroline Gregory