The relationship between the quality of life of children with asthma and family functioning

The quality of life of 84 children with asthma, aged 7-12 years, and their family functioning was assessed using standard questionnaires. A significan t relationship was found between children's reports of their quality of lif e and several key dimensions of family functioning. The results suggest tha t independent of their frequency, the extent to which asthma symptoms upset and bother children varies depending on the level of the functioning of th e children's families. Treatment approaches designed to improve family func tioning may reduce the extent to which children are bothered by their asthm a symptoms and thus improve their quality of life.