Adaptation to Asthma in Children: A Matter of Coping and Stress Control

Abstract

ABSTRACT Asthma is the most common chronic lower respiratory disease in childhood throughout the world; it is characterized by bronchial hyperreactivity and variable airway obstruction. Asthma is a disorder involving autonomic nervous system, immunologic, and psychologic factors in individuals. This work sought to describe the relationship among stress, coping, and disease control in children with asthma between 6 and 12 years of age. This was a cross-sectional correlational quantitative study with the participation of 280 children with asthma admitted to outpatient consultation and to a hospitalization service at a tier IV health institution in the city of Bogotá. An inverse correlation was found between stress and coping (r = −0.581; p < .05); between stress and asthma control (r = −0.545¸ p < .05); and a direct correlation between coping and asthma control (r = 0.759; p < .05). The results show that children with low stress levels have greater control of their disease and assume functional coping against their health status. The theory of Adaptation to Chronic Health Conditions permitted analyzing children’s conduct and behaviors against a health situation. These findings provide evidence for promoting interventions directly to patients with asthma, focusing on patients, families, and schools. Thus, it is possible to improve the quality of health care and strengthen primary health care.