Association of Asthma Illness Representations and Reported Controller Medication Adherence Among School-Aged Children and Their Parents

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between asthma illness representations and reported controller medication adherence of school-aged children (6–11 years) with persistent asthma and their parents. Thirty-four parent–child dyads independently reported on asthma controller medication adherence and asthma illness representations. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to test parent and child illness representation domain variables as predictors of reported medication adherence. Parent beliefs about medication necessity versus concerns was a significant predictor of parent-reported adherence (β = .55, p < .01), and child treatment control was also a significant predictor of parent-reported adherence (β = −.50, p < .01). Child beliefs about medication necessity versus concerns was a significant predictor of child-reported adherence (β = .50, p < .01), and no parent variables reached significance. Although there are similarities between parent and child asthma illness representations, findings indicate that school-aged children develop illness representations somewhat independently from their parents and, therefore, are critical participants in both asthma care and research.