Exploring the theoretical pathways through which asthma app features can promote adolescent self-management.
Asthma apps often lack strong theoretical underpinnings. We describe how specific features of asthma apps influenced adolescents' self-observation, self-judgment, and self-reactions, which are key constructs of Self-Regulation Theory (SRT). Adolescents (ages 12-16) with persistent asthma (n = 20) used two asthma self-management apps over a 1-week period. During semi-structured interviews, participants identified their asthma goals and the app features that best promoted self-observation, self-judgment, and fostered positive self-reactions. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using MAXQDA. Adolescents' goals were to reduce the impact of asthma on their lives. Adolescents reported that self-check quizzes, reminders, and charting features increased their ability to self-observe and self-judge their asthma, which, in turn, helped them feel more confident they could manage their asthma independently and keep their asthma well-controlled. Asthma apps can positively influence adolescents' self-management behaviors via increased self-observation, self-judgment, and increased self-efficacy.
Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy at the Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1 University Heights, CPO 2125, Asheville, NC, 28804, USA. dmcarpenter@unc.edu.
Delesha M
DM
Carpenter
Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy at the Eshelman School of Pharmacy, 2214 Kerr Hall, CB# 7573, Chapel Hill, NC, 27759, USA.
Lorie L
LL
Geryk
Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy at the Eshelman School of Pharmacy, 2214 Kerr Hall, CB# 7573, Chapel Hill, NC, 27759, USA.
Adam
A
Sage
Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy at the Eshelman School of Pharmacy, 2214 Kerr Hall, CB# 7573, Chapel Hill, NC, 27759, USA.
Courtney
C
Arrindell
Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy at the Eshelman School of Pharmacy, 2214 Kerr Hall, CB# 7573, Chapel Hill, NC, 27759, USA.
Betsy L
BL
Sleath
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D063731:Mobile Applications; D012648:Self Care; D020377:Self Efficacy
Adolescent; App; Asthma; Self-Regulation Theory; Self-management; mHealth