Psychosocial and behavioral risk factors in asthma management

Social, psychological and behavioral factors can significantly influence as thma morbidity and patient's quality of life. Psychological barriers such a s depression, anxiety, and inaccurate beliefs about asthma have been associ ated with increased asthma morbidity, poor adherence and increased health c are utilization. Poor perception of asthma symptoms may also be a risk fact or in asthma management. Social factors such as family dysfunction and low social support increase the difficulties in managing the care of a chronic illness such as asthma. Cultural factors may influence patient and family b eliefs about asthma and asthma management practices. Asthma severity and ri sk are also powerfully mediated by patient behavior. Inappropriate asthma s elf-management, such as patient delays in seeking treatment or over-relianc e on urgent care or non-adherence with therapy can lead to dangerous escala tions in asthma risk. Other health-risk behaviors, such as substance abuse, can contribute to asthma morbidity and mortality by interfering with asthm a self-management behaviors, directly exacerbating symptoms, or by masking symptoms leading to treatment delays. Just as the assessment of asthma seve rity is a fundamental component of developing an asthma treatment plan, so also should psychosocial resources and barriers be evaluated and integrated into an effective management plan.