Children's Experiences of Living With Asthma: Fear of Exacerbations and Being Ostracized

Abstract

The aim was to explore children’s experiences of asthma in order to tailor a learning program based on their perspectives. Fifteen children (7 -10 yrs) were interviewed and they narrated about their drawings; a phenomenological and hermeneutical approach was used in the analysis. The findings are described in two themes with five subthemes: fear of exacerbation (bodily sensations, frightening experiences, loss of control) and fear of being ostracized (experiences of being excluded, dilemma of keeping the asthma secret or being open about). Drawings, as applied in the present study, are a good tool for initiating a dialogue with children.