Psychosocial predictors of adherence, school absence, and social development in children with asthma

Abstract

The current study was designed to test the utility of a multivariate model to predict adherence to the prescribed medical regimen, absenteeism, and participation in organized activities for children with asthma. The model included health status factors as well as psychosocial predictors (mother and child psychological and cognitive characteristics) and family functioning. Three dependent variables were used including physician estimates of adherence, absenteeism (partial and whole days for the current year), and participation in physical and social activities. Multiple regression analyses were performed to determine whether health status, child and mother psychosocial factors, and family factors would account for significant proportions of the variance in adherence, school absence, and participation in physical and social activities. Results indicated that family factors contributed significantly to the prediction of adherence to the medical regimen. Predictors of absenteeism included the child's perceived self-efficacy and adherence. and significant predictors of participation in physical and social activities included health status and maternal external locus of control. Suggestions for revising the model and recommendations for future research utilizing the model are included.