Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Investigate the current status of family management styles among families of children aged 1-7 years with bronchial asthma and analyze influencing factors to provide a basis for developing intervention strategies. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was administered between February and December 2024 to 257 pediatric patients with physician-diagnosed asthma and their primary caregivers at a tertiary care children's hospital in Zhejiang, China. The family management styles of children with asthma and their influencing factors were assessed using a general information questionnaire, the Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT, for children aged five and above), the Test for Respiratory and Asthma Control in Kids (TRACK, for children under five), and the Family Management Scale for Children with Asthma. RESULTS: The Family Management Scale for Children with Asthma scores were (239.30 ± 20.38) points, above average. Univariate analysis revealed that the child's nutritional status and the caregiver's educational level significantly influence asthma management styles (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis found child's wasting was associated with higher FMSCA scores (Beta = 0.16, P < 0.05), indicating better management styles. However, child's obesity was associated with lower scores (Beta = -0.13, P < 0.05), indicating worse management styles. Regarding educational level, caregivers with junior high school education or below were associated with lower scores (Beta = -0.19, P < 0.05) compared to those with junior college qualifications, indicating worse management styles. CONCLUSION: The family management style for pediatric asthma patients (children aged 1-7 years) was adaptive and primarily influenced by the child's nutritional status and the caregiver's level of education. Specifically, child's obesity and a caregiver education level of junior high school or below were associated with worse family management styles, whereas child's wasting was linked to better family management styles.