Psychological Intervention Strategies in Adolescents with Asthma: A Review of the Literature

TL;DR

This paper reviews psychological interventions for adolescents with asthma, finding that most focus on treatment adherence while neglecting emotional and cognitive aspects.

Contribution

The paper identifies gaps in current psychological interventions for adolescents with asthma, emphasizing the need for comprehensive, theory-based approaches.

Findings

Most interventions focus on treatment adherence and education, neglecting emotional regulation and self-efficacy.

Few studies use robust theoretical frameworks or consider asthma comorbidities.

Heterogeneity in intervention design limits replicability and generalization of results.

Abstract

What are the main findings?
Psychological interventions for adolescents with asthma are limited, with most programs focusing on treatment adherence and educational aspects, while essential components such as emotional regulation, cognitive coping, and self-efficacy—which are critical given the bidirectional relationship between physical and psychological well-being and their impact on medical outcomes—are often neglected.Few studies incorporate robust theoretical frameworks or consider asthma comorbidities, highlighting substantial gaps in intervention design and scope.

Psychological interventions for adolescents with asthma are limited, with most programs focusing on treatment adherence and educational aspects, while essential components such as emotional regulation, cognitive coping, and self-efficacy—which are critical given the bidirectional relationship between physical and psychological well-being and their impact on medical outcomes—are often neglected.

Few studies incorporate robust theoretical frameworks or consider asthma comorbidities, highlighting substantial gaps in intervention design and scope.

What are the implications of the main findings?
There is a need for evidence-based, theoretically grounded interventions that target psychological processes critical for adherence, coping, and quality of life, supporting more comprehensive clinical care for adolescents with asthma.Future programs should consider the heterogeneity of asthma severity and its comorbidities, as well as quality-of-life indicators, to promote positive psychosocial adjustment and enhance the overall effectiveness of medical treatment.

There is a need for evidence-based, theoretically grounded interventions that target psychological processes critical for adherence, coping, and quality of life, supporting more comprehensive clinical care for adolescents with asthma.

Future programs should consider the heterogeneity of asthma severity and its comorbidities, as well as quality-of-life indicators, to promote positive psychosocial adjustment and enhance the overall effectiveness of medical treatment.

Background/Objectives: Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in adolescence, a stage in which its management may be affected by developmental changes. The aim of the present study was to examine the core areas of psychological interventions in adolescents with asthma. Methods: A scientific search of the literature was conducted, identifying 26 articles that described intervention programs targeting this population. Results: The findings show heterogeneity both in the characteristics of these interventions and in the variables assessed. Moreover, numerous studies do not clearly specify the theoretical framework employed, nor do they consider relevant factors such as comorbidity or the differing levels of disease severity. These limitations hinder the replicability and generalization of the results, as well as the understanding of psychological and behavioral impact. Conclusions: Therefore, the need to advance research that develops personalized programs integrating relevant aspects and improving quality of life and clinical outcomes is highlighted. Nevertheless, the interpretation of these findings is limited by the heterogeneity of the available evidence, including variability in intervention formats, theoretical frameworks, and outcome measures.

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