Abstract
Positive emotion, encompassing feelings such as joy and happiness, has been shown to predict a multitude of health outcomes. However, the role of positive emotion in pediatric asthma is not understood. No work to date has examined how positive emotion may offer benefits to children and adolescents with asthma. Based on theory and models of positive emotion and health, we hypothesize that positive emotion may improve asthma outcomes through mediators such as health behaviors and health-relevant physiological functioning. Moreover, boosting positive emotion during times of stress may be particularly relevant in mitigating asthma symptoms. In the present commentary, we elaborate on the hypothesized mechanisms behind such associations grounded within positive emotion theoretical frameworks. Additionally, we summarize the methodologically rigorous work of positive emotion interventions in other clinical settings to propose that positive emotion could be a useful tool in the management of pediatric asthma.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 3142-3147 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Pediatric Pulmonology |
Volume | 56 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2021 |
Keywords
- main effect model of positive emotion
- positive emotion
- positive psychology
- stress buffering model
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health