Implications of Psychosocial Factors as Precipitant of Asthma Attack Among a Sample of Asthmatics

Objective. To explore the relationship between psychosocial factors and asthma. Methods. One hundred consecutive asthmatics were screened using the 30-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30), Present state examination (PSE) and a socio-demographic schedule incorporating psychosocial variables. Chi-squared test, student "t" test and discriminant analysis were used in analysis. Results. Among the asthmatics studied 36% had psychopathology. Psychosocial variables significantly associated with psychopathology include worrying, crying, fighting, anger, marital tension, and menstruation. The presence of multiple psychosocial variables was significantly associated with psychopathology. Conclusion. Psychosocial variables predict the presence of psychopathology.