Psychomaintenance of childhood asthma: a study of 34 children

J Asthma. 1986;23(2):69-79. doi: 10.3109/02770908609077477.

Abstract

Following the study on psychomaintenance of asthma by Kinsman, Dirks, and Jones (1977), we adapted the Battery for Asthma Illness Behavior (BAIB) to children. Thirty-four children aged 9.3 to 15.4 years were tested with this modified BAIB. They were scored simultaneously on a semistructured psychological interview. Three groups emerged out of these data: low-, medium-, and high-panic-fear personalities. Patients were also rated with regard to their pulmonary function and clinical status, including medication prescribed. The high-panic-fear personality was significantly associated with a higher intensity of prescribed medication, in particular corticosteroids. These results were independent of spirometric pulmonary measurements. We conclude that doctors may overreact to the exaggerated distress of high-panic-fear patients. Psychotherapy could be of help for this group.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Asthma / psychology*
  • Child
  • Fear
  • Female
  • Forced Expiratory Volume
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Panic
  • Personality
  • Personality Inventory
  • Psychological Tests
  • Sick Role