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Published in: Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings 4/2010

01-12-2010

Anxiety and Asthma Symptoms in Urban Adolescents with Asthma: The Mediating Role of Illness Perceptions

Authors: Meghan E. McGrady, Sian Cotton, Susan L. Rosenthal, Yvonne Humenay Roberts, Maria Britto, Michael S. Yi

Published in: Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings | Issue 4/2010

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Abstract

Twenty to 40% of adolescents with asthma experience significant symptoms of anxiety. This study examined the mediational role of illness perceptions in the relationship between anxiety and asthma symptoms in adolescents. One hundred fifty-one urban adolescents (ages 11–18) with asthma completed measures of illness perceptions, and anxiety and asthma symptoms. Using the Baron and Kenny approach and Sobel tests, we examined whether illness perceptions mediated the anxiety-asthma symptom relationship. Three illness perceptions significantly mediated the relationship between anxiety and asthma symptoms, z = 1.97–2.13, p < .05; adjusted R 2 = 0.42–0.51, p < .05. Greater anxiety symptoms were associated with perceptions that asthma negatively impacted one’s life and emotions and was difficult to control. These negative illness perceptions were, in turn, related to greater asthma symptoms. Illness perceptions helped explain the anxiety-asthma symptoms link in adolescents. Results suggest that targeting illness perceptions in adolescents with asthma and anxiety may help reduce asthma symptoms.
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Metadata
Title
Anxiety and Asthma Symptoms in Urban Adolescents with Asthma: The Mediating Role of Illness Perceptions
Authors
Meghan E. McGrady
Sian Cotton
Susan L. Rosenthal
Yvonne Humenay Roberts
Maria Britto
Michael S. Yi
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings / Issue 4/2010
Print ISSN: 1068-9583
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3572
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-010-9214-3

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