A Coping Skills Program for Children With Asthma

Uncontrolled asthma in school-aged children is a significant public health problem. Latino children living in low-income contexts are at increased risk for uncontrolled asthma compared to non-Latino white children, and stress is an unaddressed factor in this disparity. Therefore, the purpose of the current study is to test an intervention program that teaches families skills to cope with asthma-related and other sources of stress. Specifically, the study will compare the effects of the combined coping skills + asthma management program with a standard asthma management program in 280 families of Latino children with asthma. The study will also look at why the program may have an effect, and specifically whether the program impacts child coping, parent coping, or family asthma management behaviors. The main hypothesis is that the combined coping skills + asthma management program will improve asthma outcomes more than the standard asthma management program.

This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) examining the effects and mediators of Adapt 2 Asthma (A2A), a coping skills + asthma management intervention, compared to standard asthma self-management (AM) for Latino children with asthma and their parents/caregivers living in low-socioeconomic status (SES) contexts. The focus of the study is to test the effects of A2A on asthma control, quality of life, lung function, school absences, and emergency department visits, and to identify child and parent mediational pathways of A2A. Children ages 8 to 14 years old with asthma and their parents/caregivers will participate. The investigators will enroll 280 youth who are patients at the partner primary care clinics and 280 of their parents/caregivers to participate. The investigators will identify patients with asthma in the study age range through reviewing records from the partner clinics as well as natural referral when patients attend appointments. The investigators will screen identified patients for eligibility. Enrolled families will complete assessments at 1 week pre-intervention, 1 week post-intervention, and at 6- and 12-month follow-up timepoints. Research staff will collect assessment data in the form of child and parent surveys, interviews and spirometry. Providers will also audiotape sessions, which will be used for case supervision and to measure fidelity to the intervention. Youth and parents/caregivers will provide all data. Participant data will be de-identified and stored in the principal investigator's locked laboratory, and all computerized data will be encrypted with University approved encryption software to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data.

The combined coping skills + asthma management arm is a family-based coping skills + asthma management intervention that is bilingual and culturally relevant for Latino families. This program is manualized with video-guided and interactive content to improve coping with stress and asthma management behaviors for both children and their parents. Coping strategies taught include primary and secondary control coping. Asthma management content is interactive and culturally tailored.

The standard asthma management (AM) arm is an asthma management intervention covering standard asthma self-management content (e.g., symptom recognition, self-monitoring). AM is manualized and is matched in length, time, and number of sessions to the experimental arm.

This arm includes a curriculum teaching coping skills and culturally relevant asthma management skills.

The Asthma Control Test assesses symptom control and impairment due to asthma (e.g., "how often have you had shortness of breath"). The ACT has versions for children ages 4-11 and 12 and older and is responsive to clinical change.

The Asthma Therapy Assessment Questionnaire (cATAQ) is a parent-report questionnaire; the symptom control subscale assesses children's asthma control (e.g., "wheezing or difficulty breathing") and shows good reliability and validity.

The Asthma Control Test assesses symptom control and impairment due to asthma (e.g., "how often have you had shortness of breath"). The ACT has versions for children ages 4-11 and 12 and older and is responsive to clinical change.

The Asthma Therapy Assessment Questionnaire (cATAQ) is a parent-report questionnaire; the symptom control subscale assesses children's asthma control (e.g., "wheezing or difficulty breathing") and shows good reliability and validity.

The Asthma Control Test assesses symptom control and impairment due to asthma (e.g., "how often have you had shortness of breath"). The ACT has versions for children ages 4-11 and 12 and older and is responsive to clinical change.

The Asthma Therapy Assessment Questionnaire (cATAQ) is a parent-report questionnaire; the symptom control subscale assesses children's asthma control (e.g., "wheezing or difficulty breathing") and shows good reliability and validity.

The Asthma Control Test assesses symptom control and impairment due to asthma (e.g., "how often have you had shortness of breath"). The ACT has versions for children ages 4-11 and 12 and older and is responsive to clinical change.

The Asthma Therapy Assessment Questionnaire (cATAQ) is a parent-report questionnaire; the symptom control subscale assesses children's asthma control (e.g., "wheezing or difficulty breathing") and shows good reliability and validity.

Pediatric Quality of Life as measured by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Parent Report

The PedsQL is a brief and standardized questionnaire that assesses parents' perceptions of health-related quality of life for children with chronic health conditions. Parents will complete the parent report of child. Generic Core Scales of the PedsQL measure quality of life in physical, social, emotional and school domains (e.g., "it is hard for me to do chores around the house"; "it is hard to keep up when I play with other kids"), while the Asthma Module includes asthma-specific concerns related to symptoms and treatment (e.g., "I have trouble using my inhaler").

Pediatric Quality of Life as measured by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Parent Report

The PedsQL is a brief and standardized questionnaire that assesses parents' perceptions of health-related quality of life for children with chronic health conditions. Parents will complete the parent report of child. Generic Core Scales of the PedsQL measure quality of life in physical, social, emotional and school domains (e.g., "it is hard for me to do chores around the house"; "it is hard to keep up when I play with other kids"), while the Asthma Module includes asthma-specific concerns related to symptoms and treatment (e.g., "I have trouble using my inhaler").

Pediatric Quality of Life as measured by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Parent Report

The PedsQL is a brief and standardized questionnaire that assesses parents' perceptions of health-related quality of life for children with chronic health conditions. Parents will complete the parent report of child. Generic Core Scales of the PedsQL measure quality of life in physical, social, emotional and school domains (e.g., "it is hard for me to do chores around the house"; "it is hard to keep up when I play with other kids"), while the Asthma Module includes asthma-specific concerns related to symptoms and treatment (e.g., "I have trouble using my inhaler").

Pediatric Quality of Life as measured by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Parent Report

The PedsQL is a brief and standardized questionnaire that assesses parents' perceptions of health-related quality of life for children with chronic health conditions. Parents will complete the parent report of child. Generic Core Scales of the PedsQL measure quality of life in physical, social, emotional and school domains (e.g., "it is hard for me to do chores around the house"; "it is hard to keep up when I play with other kids"), while the Asthma Module includes asthma-specific concerns related to symptoms and treatment (e.g., "I have trouble using my inhaler").

Pediatric Quality of Life as measured by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Child Self Report

The PedsQL is a brief and standardized questionnaire that assesses children's' perceptions of health-related quality of life for children with chronic health conditions. Children will complete the self-report version. Generic Core Scales of the PedsQL measure quality of life in physical, social, emotional and school domains (e.g., "it is hard for me to do chores around the house"; "it is hard to keep up when I play with other kids"), while the Asthma Module includes asthma-specific concerns related to symptoms and treatment (e.g., "I have trouble using my inhaler").

Pediatric Quality of Life as measured by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Child Self Report

The PedsQL is a brief and standardized questionnaire that assesses children's' perceptions of health-related quality of life for children with chronic health conditions. Children will complete the self-report version. Generic Core Scales of the PedsQL measure quality of life in physical, social, emotional and school domains (e.g., "it is hard for me to do chores around the house"; "it is hard to keep up when I play with other kids"), while the Asthma Module includes asthma-specific concerns related to symptoms and treatment (e.g., "I have trouble using my inhaler").

Pediatric Quality of Life as measured by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Child Self Report

The PedsQL is a brief and standardized questionnaire that assesses children's' perceptions of health-related quality of life for children with chronic health conditions. Children will complete the self-report version. Generic Core Scales of the PedsQL measure quality of life in physical, social, emotional and school domains (e.g., "it is hard for me to do chores around the house"; "it is hard to keep up when I play with other kids"), while the Asthma Module includes asthma-specific concerns related to symptoms and treatment (e.g., "I have trouble using my inhaler").

Pediatric Quality of Life as measured by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Child Self Report

The PedsQL is a brief and standardized questionnaire that assesses children's' perceptions of health-related quality of life for children with chronic health conditions. Children will complete the self-report version. Generic Core Scales of the PedsQL measure quality of life in physical, social, emotional and school domains (e.g., "it is hard for me to do chores around the house"; "it is hard to keep up when I play with other kids"), while the Asthma Module includes asthma-specific concerns related to symptoms and treatment (e.g., "I have trouble using my inhaler").

FEV1 is the amount of air an individual can force from their lungs in one second and is a measure of lung function in pediatric asthma. FEV1 will be measured using a spirometer. Child participants will forcefully exhale their maximal amount of air in one second. Participants will perform 3-8 forced expiration maneuvers and the mean of the best three measurements will be used.

FEV1 is the amount of air an individual can force from their lungs in one second and is a measure of lung function in pediatric asthma. FEV1 will be measured using a spirometer. Child participants will forcefully exhale their maximal amount of air in one second. Participants will perform 3-8 forced expiration maneuvers and the mean of the best three measurements will be used.

FEV1 is the amount of air an individual can force from their lungs in one second and is a measure of lung function in pediatric asthma. FEV1 will be measured using a spirometer. Child participants will forcefully exhale their maximal amount of air in one second. Participants will perform 3-8 forced expiration maneuvers and the mean of the best three measurements will be used.

FEV1 is the amount of air an individual can force from their lungs in one second and is a measure of lung function in pediatric asthma. FEV1 will be measured using a spirometer. Child participants will forcefully exhale their maximal amount of air in one second. Participants will perform 3-8 forced expiration maneuvers and the mean of the best three measurements will be used.

Parent participants will complete an Asthma Outcomes Questionnaire (AOQ) designed for this study to assess their child's school absences related to asthma. Parent participants will report on the number of school absences in the past 6 months due to asthma.

Parent participants will complete an Asthma Outcomes Questionnaire (AOQ) designed for this study to assess their child's school absences related to asthma. Parent participants will report on the number of school absences in the past 6 months due to asthma.

Parent participants will complete an Asthma Outcomes Questionnaire (AOQ) designed for this study to assess their child's school absences related to asthma. Parent participants will report on the number of school absences in the past 6 months due to asthma.

Parent participants will complete an Asthma Outcomes Questionnaire (AOQ) designed for this study to assess their child's school absences related to asthma. Parent participants will report on the number of school absences in the past 6 months due to asthma.

Parent participants will complete an Asthma Outcomes Questionnaire (AOQ) designed for this study to assess their child's emergency department visits related to asthma. Parent participants will report on the number of emergency department visits due to asthma in the past 6 months.

Parent participants will complete an Asthma Outcomes Questionnaire (AOQ) designed for this study to assess their child's emergency department visits related to asthma. Parent participants will report on the number of emergency department visits due to asthma in the past 6 months.

Parent participants will complete an Asthma Outcomes Questionnaire (AOQ) designed for this study to assess their child's emergency department visits related to asthma. Parent participants will report on the number of emergency department visits due to asthma in the past 6 months.

Parent participants will complete an Asthma Outcomes Questionnaire (AOQ) designed for this study to assess their child's emergency department visits related to asthma. Parent participants will report on the number of emergency department visits due to asthma in the past 6 months.

Parent participants will complete an Asthma Outcomes Questionnaire (AOQ) designed for this study to assess their child's hospitalizations related to asthma. Parent participants will report on the number of hospitalizations due to asthma in the past 6 months.

Parent participants will complete an Asthma Outcomes Questionnaire (AOQ) designed for this study to assess their child's hospitalizations related to asthma. Parent participants will report on the number of hospitalizations due to asthma in the past 6 months.

Parent participants will complete an Asthma Outcomes Questionnaire (AOQ) designed for this study to assess their child's hospitalizations related to asthma. Parent participants will report on the number of hospitalizations due to asthma in the past 6 months.

Parent participants will complete an Asthma Outcomes Questionnaire (AOQ) designed for this study to assess their child's hospitalizations related to asthma. Parent participants will report on the number of hospitalizations due to asthma in the past 6 months.

The Response to Stress Questionnaire - Pediatric Asthma Version (RSQ) is a questionnaire with parallel forms for youth self-report, parent report of child, and parent self-report, and yields scores for Primary Control Coping and Secondary Control Coping. The RSQ is appropriate for ages 9 and older, has been validated cross-culturally, has strong psychometric properties, and shows sensitivity to change as a mediator of coping skills interventions. Parents will complete the parent self-report form to assess their own coping.

The Response to Stress Questionnaire - Pediatric Asthma Version (RSQ) is a questionnaire with parallel forms for youth self-report, parent report of child, and parent self-report, and yields scores for Primary Control Coping and Secondary Control Coping. The RSQ is appropriate for ages 9 and older, has been validated cross-culturally, has strong psychometric properties, and shows sensitivity to change as a mediator of coping skills interventions. Parents will complete the parent self-report form to assess their own coping.

The Response to Stress Questionnaire - Pediatric Asthma Version (RSQ) is a questionnaire with parallel forms for youth self-report, parent report of child, and parent self-report, and yields scores for Primary Control Coping and Secondary Control Coping. The RSQ is appropriate for ages 9 and older, has been validated cross-culturally, has strong psychometric properties, and shows sensitivity to change as a mediator of coping skills interventions. Parents will complete the parent self-report form to assess their own coping.

The Response to Stress Questionnaire - Pediatric Asthma Version (RSQ) is a questionnaire with parallel forms for youth self-report, parent report of child, and parent self-report, and yields scores for Primary Control Coping and Secondary Control Coping. The RSQ is appropriate for ages 9 and older, has been validated cross-culturally, has strong psychometric properties, and shows sensitivity to change as a mediator of coping skills interventions. Parents will complete the parent self-report form to assess their own coping.

The Response to Stress Questionnaire - Pediatric Asthma Version (RSQ) is a questionnaire with parallel forms for youth self-report, parent report of child, and parent self-report, and yields scores for Primary Control Coping and Secondary Control Coping. The RSQ is appropriate for ages 9 and older, has been validated cross-culturally, has strong psychometric properties, and shows sensitivity to change as a mediator of coping skills interventions. Parents will complete the parent report of child form to assess their child's coping.

The Response to Stress Questionnaire - Pediatric Asthma Version (RSQ) is a questionnaire with parallel forms for youth self-report, parent report of child, and parent self-report, and yields scores for Primary Control Coping and Secondary Control Coping. The RSQ is appropriate for ages 9 and older, has been validated cross-culturally, has strong psychometric properties, and shows sensitivity to change as a mediator of coping skills interventions. Parents will complete the parent report of child form to assess their child's coping.

The Response to Stress Questionnaire - Pediatric Asthma Version (RSQ) is a questionnaire with parallel forms for youth self-report, parent report of child, and parent self-report, and yields scores for Primary Control Coping and Secondary Control Coping. The RSQ is appropriate for ages 9 and older, has been validated cross-culturally, has strong psychometric properties, and shows sensitivity to change as a mediator of coping skills interventions. Parents will complete the parent report of child form to assess their child's coping.

The Response to Stress Questionnaire - Pediatric Asthma Version (RSQ) is a questionnaire with parallel forms for youth self-report, parent report of child, and parent self-report, and yields scores for Primary Control Coping and Secondary Control Coping. The RSQ is appropriate for ages 9 and older, has been validated cross-culturally, has strong psychometric properties, and shows sensitivity to change as a mediator of coping skills interventions. Parents will complete the parent report of child form to assess their child's coping.

The Response to Stress Questionnaire - Pediatric Asthma Version (RSQ) is a questionnaire with parallel forms for youth self-report, parent report of child, and parent self-report, and yields scores for Primary Control Coping and Secondary Control Coping. The RSQ is appropriate for ages 9 and older, has been validated cross-culturally, has strong psychometric properties, and shows sensitivity to change as a mediator of coping skills interventions. Children will complete the child self-report form to assess their own coping.

The Response to Stress Questionnaire - Pediatric Asthma Version (RSQ) is a questionnaire with parallel forms for youth self-report, parent report of child, and parent self-report, and yields scores for Primary Control Coping and Secondary Control Coping. The RSQ is appropriate for ages 9 and older, has been validated cross-culturally, has strong psychometric properties, and shows sensitivity to change as a mediator of coping skills interventions. Children will complete the child self-report form to assess their own coping.

The Response to Stress Questionnaire - Pediatric Asthma Version (RSQ) is a questionnaire with parallel forms for youth self-report, parent report of child, and parent self-report, and yields scores for Primary Control Coping and Secondary Control Coping. The RSQ is appropriate for ages 9 and older, has been validated cross-culturally, has strong psychometric properties, and shows sensitivity to change as a mediator of coping skills interventions. Children will complete the child self-report form to assess their own coping.

The Response to Stress Questionnaire - Pediatric Asthma Version (RSQ) is a questionnaire with parallel forms for youth self-report, parent report of child, and parent self-report, and yields scores for Primary Control Coping and Secondary Control Coping. The RSQ is appropriate for ages 9 and older, has been validated cross-culturally, has strong psychometric properties, and shows sensitivity to change as a mediator of coping skills interventions. Children will complete the child self-report form to assess their own coping.

The Family Asthma Management Symptom Scale (FAMSS) is a semi-structured clinical interview administered jointly to youth (school-aged and older) and parents to assess family asthma management. The FAMSS captures adherence to asthma self-management behaviors such as symptom monitoring, trigger avoidance, and medication and healthcare use within the context of the family. It shows good reliability and is correlated with objective measures of management such as electronically monitored adherence.

The Family Asthma Management Symptom Scale (FAMSS) is a semi-structured clinical interview administered jointly to youth (school-aged and older) and parents to assess family asthma management. The FAMSS captures adherence to asthma self-management behaviors such as symptom monitoring, trigger avoidance, and medication and healthcare use within the context of the family. It shows good reliability and is correlated with objective measures of management such as electronically monitored adherence.

The Family Asthma Management Symptom Scale (FAMSS) is a semi-structured clinical interview administered jointly to youth (school-aged and older) and parents to assess family asthma management. The FAMSS captures adherence to asthma self-management behaviors such as symptom monitoring, trigger avoidance, and medication and healthcare use within the context of the family. It shows good reliability and is correlated with objective measures of management such as electronically monitored adherence.

The Family Asthma Management Symptom Scale (FAMSS) is a semi-structured clinical interview administered jointly to youth (school-aged and older) and parents to assess family asthma management. The FAMSS captures adherence to asthma self-management behaviors such as symptom monitoring, trigger avoidance, and medication and healthcare use within the context of the family. It shows good reliability and is correlated with objective measures of management such as electronically monitored adherence.

Inclusion Criteria: Inclusion criteria are that (a) the child has a diagnosis of asthma as reported by the child's medical provider and confirmed by the parent; (b) the child is a current patient at a participating clinic; (c) the child is 8 to 14 years old; (d) the child is Latino/a; and (e) the child and parent speak English or Spanish. Exclusion Criteria: Exclusion criteria are that the presence of a disability interferes with the child's participation in the intervention beyond accommodations feasible in primary care.