ASTHMA MANAGEMENT BY PRESCHOOL-CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES - A DEVELOPMENTAL FRAMEWORK

Sixty-one low-income, African-American mothers of preschool children w ith asthma were interviewed about asthma management. Additionally, 15 nurses provided information for a developmental schedule of asthma sel f-management activities. Most children had been diagnosed with asthma prior to age 18 months. Children participated in asthma management by 20 months, yet their mothers did not expect them to be able to manage their asthma by school age. Mothers expended considerable effort in co ordinating asthma management with others. We suggest that asthma educa tion with this population promote developmentally appropriate parent-c hild partnerships and effective involvement of family members and seco ndary settings.