“I Want to Meet Other Kids Like Me”: Support Needs of Children with Asthma and Allergies

Abstract

Parents and children preferred a combination of in-person meetings and Internet support to enhance the capacity of children, reduce children's anxiety, increase their self-care skills, and self-confidence. In addition they believed a support intervention was a stepping stone to developing a community of support for children with asthma, allergies, and anaphylaxis.

Audience, Content, Media: A Literature Review about Factors to Consider When Designing Technology Based Asthma Education Programs for Children

“…Similarly, Stewart's 2011 study revealed that 19 out of 20 children expressed a desire for peer support when dealing with asthma or severe allergies [60]. A second study by Stewart that same year revealed that 73.7% of children 11 to 16 years (n=28) participating in an online chat group designed to bolster peer support of children suffering with asthma felt that the open and supportive atmosphere was beneficial to their feelings of emotional well-being and social inclusion [45]. Adolescents in this study reported benefiting from communication and mutual affirmation with similar individuals [45].…”

“…Additionally, research suggests that parental care of infants and toddlers results in higher levels of socio-emotional and cognitive development than that of children in institutionalized care [48]. The primary position of parents as teachers and supporters is evidenced in a qualitative study of children ages six through 12 (n=20), where children with asthma reported that their mothers were their primary source of support [45]. Even in adolescence, high parental support and low levels of negative parental controls are indicators of higher levels of social acceptance and in-group status when compared to low parental support or presence [49].…”

“…According to several researchers, children with a chronic disease report challenges creating and maintaining relationships as well as fear of social isolation, being different, being bullied, being harassed, and social incompetence while participating in group activities [40,45,[59][60][61][62]. Children with chronic illnesses often fear peer rejection and report added pressure to decrease illness manifestations in an attempt to adhere to social norms [40,45]. In a qualitative study by Callery, the importance of social conformity was emphasized as one child reported, "I try not to cough in assemblies because then I get embarrassed. "…”

“…Chronic diseases often leave children feeling alienated and excluded, but providing psychosocial management elements within asthma educational materials could help improve children's social interactions [45]. Although this discussion of children's development and learning is generalized, specific examples of research related to childhood asthma also are given.…”

“…A second study by Stewart that same year revealed that 73.7% of children 11 to 16 years (n=28) participating in an online chat group designed to bolster peer support of children suffering with asthma felt that the open and supportive atmosphere was beneficial to their feelings of emotional well-being and social inclusion [45]. Adolescents in this study reported benefiting from communication and mutual affirmation with similar individuals [45]. Casier reported that previous studies involving children with chronic pain, arthritis, and cystic fibrosis have shown "higher acceptance of chronic illness is related to positive outcomes such as less anxiety, less depression, less disability, and better emotional, social, and physical functioning" [65].…”