The private struggle of mothers with asthma: a gender perspective on illness management.
Little attention has been paid to the specific problems of mothers with chronic illness. In this study of mothers with asthma, we asked the question: "how do they manage their illness"? We interviewed a purposive sample of four Dutch and four Canadian mothers living with asthma and varying in age and socio-economic class. Our analysis explored challenges the mothers face, three main strategies of non-medical illness management (prevention, normalization and mobilizing support), and the influence of age and class differences. Unhealthy cycles of living with asthma are identified and suggestions for mother-specific interventions are offered. By drawing attention to the gendered nature of chronic illness management and to patients' own experiences, a more useful frame of reference is created for professionals who do not have first hand knowledge of living with a chronic illness.
van Mens-Verhulst
Janneke
J
Research School Psychology and Health, Utrecht University, Post Box 80140, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.vanmens-verhulst@fss.uu.nl
Radtke
H Lorraine
HL
Spence
Cheryl D
CD
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D002170:Canada; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D009426:Netherlands; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D016487:Parenting; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D012803:Sick Role; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires