Abstract
Rationale: Biopsychosocial models of asthma have been proposed in the literature, butfew empirical tests of social factors at various levels of influence have been conducted. Objectives: To test associations of neighborhood, peer, and family factors with asthma outcomes in youth, and to determine the pathways through which these social factors operate. Methods: Observational study of youths with asthma (n 5 78). Measurements and Main Results: Youths completed questionnaires about neighborhood problems, peer support, and family support. Biological (IgE, eosinophil count, production of IL-4) and behavioral (youth smoking, exposure to smoke, adherence to medications) pathways were measured. Asthma symptoms and pulmonary function were assessed in the laboratory and at home for 2 weeks. Lower levels of family support were associated with greater symptoms (β coefficients: -0.26 to 20.33, P < 0.05) and poorer pulmonary function (β: 0.30, P < 0.05) via biological pathways (Z statistics from 1.19 to 1.51, P < 0.05). Higher levels of neighborhood problems were associated with greater symptoms (β coefficients: 0.27-0.33, P < 0.05) via behavioral pathways related to smoking (Z statistics = 1.40, P < 0.05). Peer support was not associated with symptoms or pulmonary function. Conclusions: This study indicates that family factors may affect youths' asthma via physiologic changes, whereas community factors may help shape the health behaviors of youths with asthma.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 644-649 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine |
Volume | 176 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 1 2007 |
Keywords
- Adolescents
- Behaviors
- Children
- Inflammatory markers
- Support
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine