The Effects of Pediatric Asthma on Daily Activities and Family Life in Cache Valley, Utah: Exploring Parental Perceptions of Air Quality

Asthma is one of the main chronic health conditions affecting children living in Cache Valley, Utah particularly due to poor air quality during the winter season. It is very important to understand how families manage asthma both within and outside the household. Therefore, this research brief highlights how parents are managing pediatric asthma, and how asthma influences daily activities and family life. It is based on a qualitative study that extracted the data from 20 in-depth interviews with parents of asthmatic children. Participants were recruited through purposive snowball sampling. Data were collected through an interview guide that included some basic questions related to demographics, asthma management and perceptions of air quality in the Cache Valley. This research revealed how asthmatic flare-ups significantly disrupt family routines and impact emotional well-being, requiring careful management and the adoption of coping strategies. The brief highlights how pediatric asthma significantly limits children's physical activities and school participation, thereby affecting their socialization and academic progress. Parents face financial and time-related burdens in managing pediatric asthma, while demonstrating resilience through adaptation and acceptance.