Socioemotional Experiences of Korean Families with Asthmatic Children

Abstract

This studyfocuses on Koreanfamilies of asthmatic children in South Korea using a case study method to understand their experiences. Informants were 55 individual members from 16families. Analysis revealed that the parents perceived their child with asthma as having physical limitations, having psychological adjustments including both behavior changes and competence issues, and needing social adjustment. The parents reported management issues, their own emotional adjustments,feeling the burden of illness, and negative effects of the illness on the family. Thefamiliesfound the disease increasingly burdensome over time. The siblings were envious of the attention the asthmatic child received. Families experienced increased conflicts andfinancial strain.