Coping patterns in Latino families of children with asthma.

INTRODUCTION

Using the Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP), this study examined coping behaviors in 26 Latino parents of children with asthma.

METHODS

Correlations and t tests were used to look at variables related to the parents' coping patterns and to compare their frequency of usage of these patterns.

RESULTS

The parents in this study were most likely to cope with their child's asthma by making active attempts to understand this condition, doing activities with family members, and maintaining an optimistic perspective. Child and family variables were not significantly associated with parents' usage of coping patterns.

DISCUSSION

These results shed light on coping in Latino families of children with asthma and contribute to a growing framework of research and practice regarding health problems in this population. The aforementioned results can enhance health care professionals' understanding of the experiences of these families and help develop and expand culturally sensitive interventions to positively affect their health and psychological needs.