A Longitudinal Investigation of Trust Beliefs in Physicians by Children with Asthma and their Mothers: Relations with Children’s Adherence to Medical Regimes and Quality of Life

Abstract

Objective
The study examined the relations between trust beliefs in physicians, adherence to prescribed medical regimes, and quality of life for children with asthma and their mothers.

Methods
One hundred and 43 children with asthma (116 males, M = 12 years- 7 months) and their mothers were tested twice (Time1/T1 and Time2/T2) across a one-year period. Standardized measures were administered that assessed the children’s and mothers’ trust beliefs in physicians, the children’s quality of life, and children’s adherence to prescribed medical regimes (adherence).

Results
Correlations were found between children’s trust beliefs in physicians, mothers’ trust beliefs in physicians, adherence and quality of life. SEM analyses confirmed that: (a) children’s trust beliefs in physicians predicted their adherence and quality of life; and (b) there were reciprocal predictive relations between the children’s and mothers’ trust beliefs in physicians.

Conclusions
The findings yield support for the conclusions that: (a) trust beliefs in physicians by children with asthma promote their adherence and quality of life; and (b) socialization of trust beliefs in physicians is a mutual mother-child process.