title: Talking with teens about asthma management.
abstract: Asthma is a chronic illness that affects approximately 7 million children and adolescents in the United States. Teens seem to be at higher risk for poor asthma health outcomes because of the tumultuous changes associated with adolescence. The purpose of this study was to explore experiences and behaviors related to the self-management of teens with asthma. Teens from four different high schools participated in one of four focus groups. Based on these discussions, the following themes emerged related to teens' management of their asthma: wanting to be normal, the unpredictability of the disease, the credibility of the teen with asthma, and self- management issues. Recommendations for developing education and management strategies for teens with asthma are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Niehoff School of Nursing, Loyola University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Velsor-Friedrich
authors.forename: Fran
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vlasses
authors.forename: Jorie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moberley
authors.forename: Lenore
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Coover
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D041923:Adolescent Development; D001249:Asthma / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012307:Risk Factors; D012573:School Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept