Randomized Controlled Trial to Enhance Psychosocial Adjustment of Asthmatic Children

F, Helmy F.; E, Shama M.; S, Attia M.; E, Abd El Kader; A, Mokhtar S.; A, Abd El Hamid A.

doi:10.21608/jhiph.2004.190608

Randomized Controlled Trial to Enhance Psychosocial Adjustment of Asthmatic Children

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Winget Children's Hospital, Mental Health Specialist.

² Department of Health Administration and Behavioral Sciences, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt

³ Department of Family Health, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt

⁴ Department of Biostatistics, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt

10.21608/jhiph.2004.190608

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a psychosocial patient education program on the psychosocial adjustment of asthmatic children between 11 and 18 years old. One hundred children attending the outpatient health insurance clinic were randomly selected and randomized to experimental and control groups. Children’s asthma knowledge, self-esteem, asthma severity and psychological adjustment were assessed for both groups before and after the intervention. An intervention program was developed and introduced to the experimental group. The program consisted of sixteen sessions of information giving and cognitive-behavioral strategies for the children. The results revealed significant difference in the mean percentage change of the intervention and control groups regarding self-esteem, knowledge and asthma severity [Z=2.83, Z=4.75 and Z=2.24 respectively, P<0.05]. Statistical significant differences were found between the mean percentage change of the intervention and control groups regarding, dependency, hostility, productivity and withdrawal domains as well as the total PARS III score. In conclusion, the study demonstrated positive effect of the intervention in promoting the adjustment of asthmatic children. It is suggested that similar interventions can be directed to children with any chronic illness and can be implemented in a variety of pediatric settings.

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