The role of caregivers' depressive symptoms and asthma beliefs on asthma outcomes among low-income Puerto Rican children.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between depressive symptoms and asthma beliefs (self-efficacy and empowerment), child asthma outcomes, and caregiver's quality of life among Puerto Rican caregivers of children with asthma.


METHODS
The caregivers of 221 children with persistent bronchial asthma were stratified into those with no/low or high levels of depressive symptoms. Differences between the groups in caregiver self-efficacy, family empowerment, child asthma outcomes, and quality of life were examined.


RESULTS
Caregivers with more depressive symptoms reported lower self-efficacy, less empowerment, less symptom-free days and nights for their children, and a lower quality of life compared to caregivers with no or fewer depressive symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Depressive symptoms among Puerto Rican caregivers were associated with asthma beliefs, children's asthma symptoms, and caregiver quality of life. Our findings reinforce the importance of physician screening skills in recognizing caregiver depression in parents of asthma patients.
Martínez
Karen G
KG
Behavioral Sciences Research Institute, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Pérez
Edna Acosta
EA
Ramírez
Rafael
R
Canino
Glorisa
G
Rand
Cynthia
C
D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003863:Depression; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D011203:Poverty; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D016896:Treatment Outcome