The Effectiveness of Education for Family Management of Asthma in Children: A Preliminary Report

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 a 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.