Testing the Biobehavioral Family Model in Pediatric Asthma: Pathways of Effect

Abstract

This study uses a laboratory‐based multiinformant, multimethod approach to test the hypothesis that a negative family emotional climate (NFEC) contributes to asthma disease severity by way of child depressive symptoms, and that parent‐child relational insecurity mediates the effect. Children with asthma ( n= 199; aged 7–17; 55% male) reported parental conflict, parent‐child relational security, and depressive symptoms. Parent(s) reported demographics, asthma history, and symptoms. Asthma diagnosis was confirmed by clinical evaluation and pulmonary function tests, with disease severity rated by an asthma clinician according to NHLBI guidelines. Family interactions were evoked using the Family Process Assessment Protocol, and rated using the Iowa Family Interaction Rating Scales. Path analysis indicated a good fit of data to the hypothesized model (χ 2 [1]=.11, p= .74, NFI=.99, RMSEA=.00). Observed NFEC predicted child depression (β=.19, p <.01), which predicted asthma disease severity (β=.23, p <.01). Relational security inversely predicted depressive symptoms (β=−.40, p <.001), and was not a mediator as predicted, but rather an independent contributor. The findings are consistent with the Biobehavioral Family Model, which suggests a psychobiologic influence of specific family relational processes on asthma disease severity by way of child depressive symptoms.