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This paper reports preliminary findings in a convenience sample of one half the population enrolled in a study of self-management in low income families where a child has asthma. In initial evaluation data, parents participating in self-management education reported significantly less fear and anxiety associated with their children's wheezing episodes than did control families. They also reported that their children exhibited fewer signs of stress during wheezing episode. A trend toward reduced school absences and emergency room visits was noted among participating families. The actions taken by a family to manage the illness increased with the number of sessions attended. more...

Bronchial asthma is the major cause of disability in childhood. Among its effects are impaired levels of physical activity and self-esteem, reduced school attendance and performance, and increased utilization of emergency health services. This paper describes the development of a health education program designed to test the hypothesis that better family self-management of asthma can reduce the negative impact of the disease. Three hundred low income Black and Hispanic families were enrolled in the study. Children and primary caretakers were interviewed separately to obtain baseline data on current levels of self-management and to assess needs for educational intervention. Data have been accumulated on a variety of topics concerning asthma self-management, including health practices and beliefs, coping skills, asthma knowledge, and locus of control. An Asthma Self-Management Index was developed to measure positive management behaviors by the family. The needs assessment indicated that six core themes were priorities for these families in terms of relevant skills and behaviors. These topics were incorporated as lesson plans in the intervention. more...