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Impacts of Online Peer Support for Children With Asthma and Allergies: “It Just Helps You Every Time You Can't Breathe Well”

2013; Elsevier BV; Volume: 28; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.pedn.2013.01.003

1532-8449

Moira Stewart, Nicole Letourneau, Jeffrey R. Masuda, Sharon Anderson, Shawna McGhan,

Asthma and respiratory diseases

Children with asthma and allergies experience social isolation and gaps in social support particularly from peers. The objective of this pilot study was to design and test an accessible online support intervention for these children. Support was delivered by peer mentors with asthma and allergies and a professional. Weekly support groups were conducted over 8 weeks using Go to Meeting and Club Penguin. Quantitative measures and a qualitative interview were administered. Significant increases in perceived support and support-seeking coping and trends in decreased loneliness emerged at post-test. Participants also reported increased self-confidence and satisfaction with the intervention.