Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Silvia Bigatti

Abstract

The long-term responsibility of caring for a child with asthma can result in parents

experiencing a lower quality of life (QoL), especially if the child's asthma is not well

controlled. Asthma knowledge can enhance asthma control practices among parents.

However, research has not explored these variables together to determine whether

parental control of child's asthma mediates the relationship between parent asthma

knowledge and parent QoL. This quantitative research study explored whether parental

control of child's asthma mediated the relationship between parent asthma knowledge

and parent QoL. The theoretical foundation was asthma self-regulation theory, focused

on the importance of asthma knowledge for parents to effectively control the child's

asthma and experience an overall improved QoL. A convenience sample of 70 parents of

children with asthma participated in the study. Hayes macros was used to test for

mediation. A significant relationship between parental control of child's asthma and QoL

was found; however, mediation was not supported by the data. Adequate communication

between parents and medical health professionals is vital in being able to implement the

appropriate measures needed to control asthma in children. Because research has

consistently determined a relationship between parental control of child's asthma and

QoL, a parental QoL assessment may be helpful as part of the treatment plan provided for

the child. The results of the present study may contribute to positive social change by

adding to the research supporting the importance of controlling symptoms for children for

parental QoL.

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