The role of the social environment in children and adolescents with asthma.
BACKGROUND
Biopsychosocial models of asthma have been proposed in the literature, but few empirical tests of social factors at various levels of influence have been conducted.


OBJECTIVE
To test associations of neighborhood, peer, and family factors with asthma outcomes in youth, and to determine the pathways through which these social factors operate.


METHODS
Observational study of youths with asthma (n = 78).


RESULTS
Youths completed questionnaires about neighborhood problems, peer support, and family support. Biological (IgE, eosinophil count, production of IL-4) and behavioral (youth smoking, exposure to smoke, adherence to medications) pathways were measured. Asthma symptoms and pulmonary function were assessed in the laboratory and at home for 2 weeks. Lower levels of family support were associated with greater symptoms (beta coefficients: -0.26 to -0.33, P < 0.05) and poorer pulmonary function (beta: 0.30, P < 0.05) via biological pathways (Z statistics from 1.19 to 1.51, P < 0.05). Higher levels of neighborhood problems were associated with greater symptoms (beta coefficients: 0.27-0.33, P < 0.05) via behavioral pathways related to smoking (Z statistics = 1.40, P < 0.05). Peer support was not associated with symptoms or pulmonary function.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that family factors may affect youths' asthma via physiologic changes, whereas community factors may help shape the health behaviors of youths with asthma.
Chen
Edith
E
Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. echen@psych.ubc.ca
Chim
Louise S
LS
Strunk
Robert C
RC
Miller
Gregory E
GE
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D010379:Peer Group; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support