Predictors of adaptation in icelandic and American families of young children with chronic asthma

Erla Kolbrun Svavarsdottir, Mary Kay Rayens, Marilyn McCubbin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purposes of this international study were to determine the predictors of adaptation and to assess potential moderating effects of parents' sense of coherence and family hardiness on the relationship of severity of illness of a child with asthma and family and caregiving demands as predictors of family adaptation. For both parents, sense of coherence and family hardiness predicted family adaptation. Icelandic mothers perceived their family's adaptation more favorably than did their American counterparts. For the fathers, family demands predicted adaptation. Sense of coherence moderated the effect of family demands on adaptation for both parents. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening individual and family resiliency as a mechanism for improving family adaptation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)338-350
Number of pages13
JournalFamily and Community Health
Volume28
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2005

Keywords

  • Childhood chronic asthma
  • Family adaptation
  • Family as a unit

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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