The modifiable biopsychosocial drivers of psychological distress for adolescents with asthma: Implications for Clinical Care

Kelsey J Sharrad; Zoe A Kopsaftis; Kristin V Carson-Chahhoud; Helen M Stallman

doi:10.1016/j.prrv.2021.07.005

The modifiable biopsychosocial drivers of psychological distress for adolescents with asthma: Implications for Clinical Care

Paediatr Respir Rev. 2022 Mar:41:68-72. doi: 10.1016/j.prrv.2021.07.005. Epub 2021 Aug 10.

Authors

Kelsey J Sharrad¹, Zoe A Kopsaftis², Kristin V Carson-Chahhoud³, Helen M Stallman⁴

Affiliations

¹ Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia. Electronic address: kelsey.sharrad@unisa.edu.au.
² Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia; Respiratory Medicine Unit, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, Australia.
³ Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia; South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia.
⁴ Thompson Institute, University of the Sunshine Coast, Birtinya, Queensland, Australia.

PMID: 34531130
DOI: 10.1016/j.prrv.2021.07.005

Abstract

Purpose: Overwhelming distress exceeds the capacity of healthy coping strategies to feel better using healthy coping strategies alone, resulting in the use of unhealthy coping strategies. Unhealthy coping strategies may exacerbate asthma symptoms and asthma can contribute to overwhelming distress. This study aimed to review the modifiable drivers of overwhelming distress in adolescents with asthma.

Methods: The biopsychosocial drivers of psychological distress for adolescents with asthma were explored within the domains of the modifiable biopsychosocial model of health and wellbeing.

Results: Asthma in adolescents is associated with problems in the domains of environment, developmental outcomes, sense of belonging, health behaviours, coping, and treatment of illness.

Conclusions: The relationship between asthma and psychological distress highlights the need for holistic treatment of asthma. Further research is needed to establish causation between variables and to investigate whether interventions that address either asthma symptoms or biopsychosocial drivers of distress can improve both factors.

Keywords: Adolescent; Asthma; Child; Health behaviour; Mental health; Psychological adaptation; Psychological distress.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adaptation, Psychological
Adolescent
Asthma* / psychology
Asthma* / therapy
Humans
Psychological Distress*
Stress, Psychological / etiology
Stress, Psychological / psychology