Impact of the VERNA summer camp on the state-trait anxiety, asthma knowledge and self-concept in a group of Puerto Rican asthmatic children by Santos-Ortiz, Maria del Carmen, Ph.D., Temple University, 1991, 173 pages; AAT 9135003
Abstract (Summary)
The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a self management program for a group of asthmatic children on the following psychoeducational variables: state-trait anxiety, asthma knowledge and self-concept. The sample consisted of 42 children, ages nine through twelve, that participated in a summer camp. The main objectives of this summer camp sponsored by the Puerto Rico Lung Association were: (1) offering information on asthma management and prevention, (2) providing participation in sports and recreational activities; and (3) promoting the child's responsibility for health maintenance and prevention. The program's activities included exercises, team and individual sports, arts and crafts, passive games, field trips and educational sessions. The educational activities consisted of eight sessions of 45 minutes each. The following topics were discussed during the sessions: mechanisms and physiology of breathing; what occurs during asthma attacks; precipitants or triggers; asthma treatment including how medication can control the condition as well as possible side effects, body relaxation and physical conditioning. Daily medical evaluations for each child were conducted. A general orientation about the prevention and management of asthma was offered to parents. The findings of the present study show a significant difference between the pre and post scores in the measures of asthma knowledge (p $<$ 0.001) and self-concept (p $<$ 0.05). The understanding of asthma as well as the opportunity to share with peers in recreational activities, sports and education appeared to contribute to increased self-concept scores. The results reflected no apparent effect on state-trait anxiety. This could be attributed to their initial moderate scores in state-trait anxiety.
These findings show that the camp meets one of its primary objectives of offering asthmatic children understanding about their condition and its management. Summer camps for children with asthma seem to provide the appropriate situations and milieu for improving the self concept. Self management programs should be considered an important and viable alternative when designing interventions for the benefit of asthmatic school aged children.