A Pilot Study of Decision-Making Quality and Risk Behaviors in Rural Adolescents with Asthma

Abstract

Asthma is a common chronic condition in adolescents. Despite chronic health conditions, adolescents are at great risk for substance-using risk behaviors such as smoking, alcohol use, and illicit drug use. Adolescents' decision-making quality may influence their risk behaviors. To date little is known about the extent to which rural adolescents with asthma engage in risk behaviors using substances beyond smoking and the association between risk behaviors and decision-making quality. The purpose of this pilot study is to examine the decision-making quality and to explore the extent of substance-using risk behaviors among adolescents with asthma in rural areas. Data were collected from 41 subjects ages 14–20 years in 2005–2006 using the Decision-Making Quality Scale and the Periodic Assessment of Drug Use. Cross-sectional descriptive analyses were performed to calculate the rates of decision-making quality and risk behavior. Approximately 50% were found to be quality decision makers, and non-whites reported higher decision-making scores than whites. Current smoking (in the past 30 days) was reported by 19.5%, and 17% reported alcohol consumption monthly or more frequently in the past year. Over 24% reported the use of illicit drugs at least once in the preceding year. Overall, 34% engaged in at least one type of substance using risk behavior. Whites were more likely to engage in such risk behaviors. No correlation between decision-making quality and risk behaviors was found. This study revealed the alarming rates of substance-using risk behaviors in the sample of adolescents with asthma. Given the serious implications for asthma outcomes, clinicians need to routinely assess risk behaviors in adolescents with asthma and provide adequate counseling and guidance.