A longitudinal investigation of trust beliefs in physicians by children with asthma and their mothers: Relations with children's adherence to medical regimes and quality of life.

OBJECTIVE

The study examined the relations between trust beliefs in physicians, adherence to prescribed medical regimes, and quality of life for children with asthma and their mothers.

METHODS

One hundred forty-three children with asthma (116 males, M = 12 years-7 months) and their mothers were tested twice (Time 1/T1 and Time 2/T2) across a 1-year period. Standardized measures were administered that assessed the children's and mothers' trust beliefs in physicians, the children's quality of life, and children's adherence to prescribed medical regimes (adherence).

RESULTS

Correlations were found between children's trust beliefs in physicians, mothers' trust beliefs in physicians, adherence, and quality of life. Structural equation modelling analyses confirmed that (a) children's trust beliefs in physicians predicted their adherence and quality of life and (b) there were reciprocal predictive relations between the children's and mothers' trust beliefs in physicians.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings yield support for the conclusions that (a) trust beliefs in physicians by children with asthma promote their adherence and quality of life and (b) socialization of trust beliefs in physicians is a mutual mother-child process.