The Psychosocial Background of Asthma and Panic Disorder

Abstract

Asthma, the chronic disease, shows increased prevalence in the last decades. Genetic and environmental factors also influence its development. Panic disorder (PD) is one of the most frequent anxiety disorders in asthma. Their common symptom is the difficulty in breathing. In my study I aimed to compare the family representations of asthmatic and panic disorder young adults and their family members with healthy young people's and their family members’ representations to know more about the family structures and their mental processes. Gehring's (2010) Family System Test (FAST) was used by 3-3-3 families in my investigation testing all of the family members. There were four family members in all of the investigated families (parents and children). One of the children was concerned in asthma or panic disorder, while – in the control group – both of the children were healthy. I made both the quantitative- and qualitative analysis of the data to explore the differences between the subgroups. The results show that more pronounced differences are among the family members’ representations in the patients’ subsamples. The way we interpret the surrounding world has a powerful effect on our well-being and healthy status. The family has a particular influence on our development from birth to death. The organization and flexibility of this system and our place which is defined by the other family members’ personality and communicative style collectively form the members in the level of the (sub)system(s) and teach him/her how to live and cope. Although the results seem to be remarkable, further studies are needed to explore the importance of the family representations in our life better, and the role of the other factors and their interactions also need to be researched.