Exploring Everyday Experiences of Adolescents Living With Asthma Through Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory.
Tzu-Jung Tseng, Chiung-Jung Jo Wu
PMID 40790848WHAT IT FOUND
Adolescents with asthma in Taiwan described night and weather symptoms, hiding medication to avoid peer reactions, reducing school activities, and family conflict over treatment.
Nurses may need to ask about these barriers.
Key findings
01Participants said symptoms were more common at night and when seasons changed.
02Participants described peer marginalisation and reduced physical activity at school.
03Participants described family disagreements about asthma care.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Findings are from 17 adolescents in one outpatient clinic in southern Taiwan, so they may not apply to other settings, ages, asthma severities, or countries. The study used qualitative interviews and did not test whether any asthma management strategy improves symptoms, participation, or quality of life. Most participants had mild persistent asthma, so experiences of severe asthma may be underrepresented. The paper reports participants' accounts and themes, not measured asthma outcomes or adherence rates.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The funder was named as Chang Gung Medical Foundation.
The easy way to misread this
Do not treat these themes as generalisable asthma management guidance. They come from 17 adolescents in one Taiwanese outpatient clinic and are not evidence that any intervention changes asthma outcomes.