ARTICLE Coping Patterns in Latino Families of Children With Asthma Adrienne Garro, PhD ABSTRACT Introduction: Using the Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP), this study examined coping behaviors in 26 Latino parents of children with asthma. Methods: Correlations and t tests were used to look at vari- ables related to the parents’ coping patterns and to compare their frequency of usage of these patterns. Results: The parents in this study were most likely to cope with their child’s asthma by making active attempts to under- stand this condition, doing activities with family members, and maintaining an optimistic perspective. Child and family variables were not significantly associated with parents’ us- age of coping patterns. Discussion: These results shed light on coping in Latino fam- ilies of children with asthma and contribute to a growing framework of research and practice regarding health prob- lems in this population. The aforementioned results can en- hance health care professionals’ understanding of the experiences of these families and help develop and expand culturally sensitive interventions to positively affect their health and psychological needs. J Pediatr Health Care. (2011) 25, 347-354. KEY WORDS Pediatric asthma, coping, Latino families As the most common chronic illness of childhood, pediatric asthma has detrimental effects for the children who experience it directly, as well as for their families. These effects not only involve physical health symp- toms but also may include social and/or emotional dif- ficulties because of the restrictions imposed by these symptoms. In addition, pediatric asthma often gener- ates stress for parents and other family members who care for affected children. Specific effects may include feelings of anxiety, fear, helplessness, anger, and guilt, as well as restrictions of everyday activities and interfer- ence with family relationships (Annett, Bender, DuHamel, & Lapidus, 2003; Townsend et al., 1991). With respect to pediatric asthma, a growing research base has begun to document coping and adjustment in affected families. Donnelly (1994) researched 27 par- ents of young children with asthma and found that levels of the protective factor of hardiness, which is as- sociated with healthy coping, were positively corre- lated with family cohesion and adaptability. Brazil and Krueger (2002) examined coping skills in mothers and fathers of children with asthma. Their results indi- cated that mothers were more active than fathers in gaining support from family and friends and also were more likely to cope by maintaining self-esteem, social relationships, and psychological stability. Some literature has begun to examine the adjustment of Latino families who are dealing with pediatric asthma. For example, in an exploratory study of eight Latino families, Berg, Anderson, Tichachek, Tomizh, and Rachelefsky (2007) found that fear, lack of knowl- edge about asthma, and lack of information from health care providers were common themes. On a positive note, these families were resourceful and able to de- velop alternative strategies to cope with their child’s asthma. The present study contributes to a growing research base documenting the experiences of Latino families facing pediatric health problems. Research with these Adrienne Garro, Assistant Professor, Doctoral Studies in Psychology, Kean University, Hillside, NJ. Conflicts of interest: None to report. Correspondence: Adrienne Garro, PhD, Kean University, East Campus, 215 North Ave, Hillside, NJ 07205; e-mail: agarro@kean. edu. 0891-5245/$36.00 Copyright Q 2011 by the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.pedhc.2010.04.005 www.jpedhc.org November/December 2011 347