Self-Competence and Coping in Urban Children With Asthma

This study examines associations among self-competence, asthma coping strategies, and asthma-related functioning in school-aged children with asthma. Thirty 8- to 10-year-old children and their mothers from inner-city neighborhoods were interviewed. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that higher levels of children's self-competence were significantly related to more accurate asthma knowledge. Higher levels of active and avoidance asthma coping strategies were significantly related to higher levels of participation in activities and recommended asthma management behaviors. Implications for future research and culturally sensitive clinical supports for urban families are discussed.