Adults' experience with asthma and their reported uncertainty and coping strategies.

This study examined the uncertainty experienced by persons with asthma and the coping strategies they used. The sample of 99 adults was interviewed by the investigators. Subjects responded to demographic and illness-related questions and completed the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale and the Jalowiec Coping Scale. Subjects who had asthma for a longer duration reported lower levels of uncertainty. Those who were hospitalized because of asthma and those for whom pollen was a trigger experienced greater uncertainty. Females, individuals who went to an emergency department because of asthma, and those who attended pulmonary support groups used more coping strategies. Understanding the sources of perceived uncertainty may assist individuals to cope with and manage the chronic and acute phases of asthma.