Psychosocial Factors Associated with Asthma Morbidity in the Inner City

Abstract

In recent years, the prevalence and incidence of asthma in inner-city children has increased dramatically. There has also been a significant increase in asthma morbidity and mortality among this population. A review of the literature on the psychosocial factors associated with asthma morbidity/mortality is discussed, focusing on research in the following areas: (1) environmental factors; (2) family functioning; (3) emotional and behavioral factors; (4) compliance. Factors that contribute to the difficulty of treating asthma in inner-city children is discussed and the review highlights self-management programs that have demonstrated some success in the treatment of asthma. Suggestions for directions for future research include using more homogeneous samples, clarifying terms used to describe the sample, and designing treatment programs that specifically address the needs of inner-city populations.