| Objective. This longitudinal study investigated the direct and interactive effects of asthma status and socioeconomic risk factors on socioemotional functioning in early childhood using cumulative risk models.; Methods. Questionnaire data were collected from 1,025 parents of children at ages 2- to 3-years (Y2) and kindergarten (KG), and from 748 teachers when children were in kindergarten. Follow-up telephone data were collected from 144 parents of children in this cohort with Y2 or Y3 reported asthma or asthma symptoms to confirm asthma status at kindergarten. Children were categorized into asthma, possible asthma, or healthy groups. The following 4 cumulative risk categories were examined: (1) total risk, (2) community-related risk, (3) family-related risk, and (4) demographic-related risk. Three socioemotional outcomes were assessed: (1) anxiety/depression, (2) withdrawal, and (3) social-emotional competence.; Results. Findings indicated that asthma was significantly related to teacher-reported anxiety/depression. Significant associations were also found between all 4 cumulative risk categories and teacher- and/or parent-reports of child anxiety/depression, withdrawal, and competence. Asthma status moderated the relationship between both total- and community-related risk and teacher-reported anxiety/depression such that the presence of asthma led to higher levels of anxiety/depression in children with increased risk. For the healthy group only, asthma status moderated the relationship between community-related risk and teacher-reported withdrawal and competence, and between demographic-related risk and parent-reported competence.; Conclusions. Results indicate a need for comprehensive ecological interventions that target both asthma and socioeconomic problems in the child, family, and community. |
