title: The effect of parental social support and acculturation on childhood asthma control.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There exists large ethnic disparities in asthma among Latino children; Puerto Ricans (PRs) are disproportionately affected, while Mexicans have the lowest prevalence and morbidity. Disparities are poorly understood, however, acculturation and social support are suggested to influence asthma control among children. This study investigated the relationship between acculturation, social support and asthma control among PR and Mexican children and their caregivers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary caregiver-child dyads (n = 267) of PR (n = 79) and Mexican (n = 188) descent were recruited from clinics at two inner-city hospitals in Bronx, NY and three clinics in Phoenix, AZ. Children were 5-12 years of age and had a confirmed asthma diagnosis. Dyads completed measures of social support, acculturation and asthma control; logistic regression was used for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mexican children had better asthma control than PR children (p < 0.001). PR caregivers were more acculturated than Mexican caregivers (p < 0.05); however, acculturation did not predict control. Across Latino subgroups caregivers' total level of social support predicted better asthma control among children (p < 0.05), and support received from family and friends each independently predicted better control (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest that social support reduces some of the burden associated with asthma management enabling caretakers to better control their children's asthma.
authors.affiliation: a Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University , Bronx , NY , USA .
authors.forename: Bari
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Scheckner
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Arcoleo
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Feldman
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D001249:Asthma / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010290:Parents; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000208:ethnology; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012944:Social Support; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Caregivers; Latinos; Mexican; Puerto Rican; children; ethnic disparities