Adolescents with asthma reported more peer victimization, more anger repression, and less anger expression

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the peer victimization and anger expression in adolescents with asthma. The relationship between asthma control and psychological features was also examined. Methods The study was a cross-sectional study with a healthy control group. The sample of the study was composed of 61 adolescents who were previously diagnosed by a physician with asthma of various intensities. Sixty adolescents with no chronic disorders were enrolled as the control group. Peer victimization was examined using the Multidimensional Peer Victimization Scale (MPVS). The State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) was used to assess anger expression styles. Emotional and behavioral symptoms of the adolescents were measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results Adolescents with asthma reported more peer victimization in the subscales of physical, social, verbal, attacks on property, and frightening in the MPVS; and having more problems in emotional, social, and peer relations areas in the SDQ (p < .001 for all subscales) compared to the control group. The results were similar between the groups regarding the conduct problems and hyperactive behaviors. The adolescents with asthma reported more anger repression and less anger expression than the control group (p < .001 for both subscales). Conclusions The results indicated that the adolescents with asthma were subjected to more peer victimization and experienced more difficulties in anger expression than the controls. Based on the findings of this study, we suggest that these psychological factors should be kept in mind during the management of asthma in adolescents.