The Psychological, Social, and Medical Needs of Lower Socioeconomic Status Mothers of Asthmatic Children

Abstract

Extensive clinical literature describes parental reactions and stages of adjustment to chronic illnesses of their children, but such observations have not yet been empirically demonstrated. Utilizing a cross-sectional approach, the present study examined the psychological/emotional, social/instrumental, and medical/educational problems experienced by lower socio-economic status (SES) mothers of 45 asthmatic children as a function of the length of time that had elapsed since the diagnosis of their children's illness. Data analysis indicated that the problem areas did not vary with the length of time since diagnosis. The majority of mothers reported difficulties related to their children's illness in each area.