Family connectedness and pediatric asthma management: The roles of child age and race or ethnicity

Abstract

ABSTRACTFamily connectedness has been linked to better than expected asthma health in youth at risk for asthma disparities, yet it is unclear whether benefits exist across child development. The association between family connectedness and asthma management was examined in 245 youth (6–15 years), as well as whether this relationship varied by child age and race or ethnicity. Youth and caregivers completed family connectedness and asthma management semi-structured interviews. Higher levels of family connectedness were related to better asthma management across racial/ethnic groups. Child age was a significant moderator of the relation between family connectedness and asthma management for non-Latino White youth only, suggesting that for this group, the effect of family connectedness on asthma management was weaker for older youth. Conversely, family connectedness may consistently promote asthma management for Latino and non-Latino Black youth throughout development.