Development of an instrument to assess stress levels and quality of life in children with asthma

J Asthma. 1998;35(7):553-63. doi: 10.3109/02770909809048958.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a new instrument, About My Asthma (AMA), to assess stressors affecting quality of life in children with asthma. The AMA is a 55-item, 4-point Likert-type scale. Concurrent validity was established by comparing the AMA with the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ). Increased levels of stress measured by the AMA correlated with a decreased quality of life measured by the PAQLQ. We conclude that the AMA is a valid and reliable instrument to measure the quantity and type of stressors experienced by children who have asthma.

MeSH terms

  • Asthma / physiopathology*
  • Asthma / psychology
  • Child
  • Child Welfare*
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Quality of Life*
  • Stress, Physiological / physiopathology*
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires* / standards