Understanding the Influences Behind Parents’ Asthma Decision-Making: A Qualitative Exploration of the Asthma Network of Parents with Children with Asthma

INTRODUCTION: Interventions aimed at optimizing parents’ ability to manage their children’s asthma could be strengthened by better understanding the networks that influence these parents’ choices when managing asthma. This study aimed to explore the asthma networks of parents of children with asthma—specifically to gain insights into whom parents select to be within their networks and why; how individuals within parents’ networks influence the way in which they manage their children’s asthma medications, and factors driving the development of these networks. METHODS: A qualitative research methodology utilizing semi-structured interviews with parents of children with asthma was employed to fulfil the objectives of this study. RESULTS: Twenty-six face-to-face interviews with parents of children with asthma were conducted, recorded, and transcribed. Transcriptions were independently coded for concepts and themes by the research team. Asthma medications was a dominant theme identified, and revealed that parents actively sought advice and support from a series of complex and multidimensional relationships with people and resources in their health network. These not only included health care professionals (HCPs) but also personal connections, lay individuals, and resources. The composition and development of these asthma networks occurred over time and were determined by several key factors: satisfaction with their HCP provider; need for information; convenience; trust and support; self-confidence in management; and parents’ perceptions of their children’s asthma severity. CONCLUSIONS: By exploring parents’ asthma network, this study uncovers the complex relationship between HCPs, family and friends of parents of children with asthma, and provides new insight into the intimate and parallel influence they have on parent’s decision-making.