| dc.description.abstract | The aim of this study was to describe
how adolescents experience
having asthma. Data was recorded
from 39 adolescents, 18 girls and
21 boys, interviewed by using Focus
Groups. Mean age was 14 year (12
to 16 years). They were observed
and interviewed within 7 groups.
Most (80 %) had had asthma
for more than 10 years. All but
two, used inhaled steroids. Only
33 % had experienced respiratory
symptoms more than once a week
during the last 14 days. The adolescents
did not experience themselves
as having a disease, and to
discuss having asthma with other
youths were unusual for most.
Some felt that they had to deal
with a demanding environment
without the aid of a supportive
network. They expressed mistrust
by teachers and friends related to
physical training and school activities
as most traumatically.
Adolescents are at high risk for
poor outcomes from asthma owing
to lifestyle and developmental
changes. The result of the study
suggest a need to better inform the
people in the adolescent´s surrondings
(i.e. school teachers and friends)
about asthma. Teachers and
parents have an important task: to
find physically challenging activities
as well as leisure activities that
strengthen the adolescent´s selfesteem
and ability to cope with
their asthma. The focus group´s
methods allowed the adolescents
to experience a supportive social
enviroment and created openness
conserning their health problems.
There is a need for further studies
about the adolescents, chronic disease
and quality of life. | en |
