The Relationship of Asthma and Anxiety Symptoms in an Urban, Majority African-American, Adolescent Population

The present study analyzed the longitudinal relationship of asthma and anxiety symptoms in a low-income, predominantly African-American, urban population of adolescents receiving their healthcare through Wisconsin's Medicaid system. Of the 213 youth with asthma participating in the study, 71% reported clinically significant levels of anxiety symptoms during the course of the study, affirming previously published studies reporting elevated rates of anxiety among youth with asthma. Within this population, the symptoms of anxiety and the symptoms of asthma showed significant covariance both within-persons and between-persons indicating a close correspondence that may reflect reciprocal reinforcement of asthma and anxiety symptoms or a common causal factor giving rise to both asthma and anxiety symptoms. Discussion of the study results details possible mechanisms to explain the association of anxiety and asthma symptoms as well as the potential for chronic stress to underlie and exacerbate both conditions, particularly in communities managing multiple systemic stressors. These findings underscore the need for increased attention by psychologists to the impact of chronic conditions such as asthma on the mental health of their clients. They also highlight the need for collaborative care as indicated by the Affordable Care Act's directive to integrate mental health services into primary health care and careful clinical management of comorbid asthma and anxiety symptoms. Future research is needed to understand the impact of chronic stress on asthma and anxiety symptoms and to provide guidance for treatment of comorbid asthma and anxiety symptoms.