A cumulative risk model predicting caregiver quality of life in pediatric asthma.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between a cumulative risk model and caregiver quality of life (QOL) in pediatric asthma and determine whether caregiver QOL is predicted by a linear or quadratic model of cumulative risk.


METHODS
One hundred and ninety-three families of children between the ages of 5 and 12 years with mild to severe asthma completed a background questionnaire and measures of QOL, asthma severity, family burden, and family stress. A cumulative risk model based on risk factors from these measures was calculated for each caregiver.


RESULTS
The cumulative risk model significantly predicted caregiver QOL as a quadratic function. Caregivers with numerous risk factors experienced a dramatic worsening of QOL.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that caregiver QOL is best predicted by the interaction and not the summation of these factors. Interventions focused on one area of family risk may be effective in reducing poor QOL in caregivers of children with asthma.
Everhart
Robin S
RS
Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA.
Fiese
Barbara H
BH
Smyth
Joshua M
JM
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012306:Risk; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires