Date Approved

2024

Degree Type

Open Access Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department or School

Psychology

Committee Member

Stephen Jefferson, PhD

Committee Member

Catherine Peterson, PhD

Committee Member

Heather Janisse, PhD

Committee Member

Jamie Lawler, PhD

Committee Member

Lydia McBurrows, DNP

Abstract

n the United States, asthma is the most common chronic medical condition in youth, and it disproportionately affects Black adolescents. Numerous studies document poor asthma self-management for adolescents and young adults (AYAs), which compromises treatment effectiveness and drives up healthcare costs. However, it remains unclear how to increase health-promoting behaviors and reduce health disparities between Black AYAs and other races who experience better asthma-related outcomes. Interventions have been developed to improve adolescent self-management, yet few comprehensively address the psychological, cognitive, and contextual components that may interfere with an AYA's engagement in health behaviors, and few have developed interventions utilizing AYA input. The current study aimed to describe variables to consider in developing a psychological intervention and obtain initial feedback on an adapted four-session, group-administered executive functioning intervention for Black AYAs with asthma. First, participants were surveyed to assess their general preferences for the format and content of the intervention described above. Part of this process included having participants review brief videos that described, rather than instantiated, the proposed video interventions. After viewing these videos, participants were asked to provide feedback on the proposed outlines described in each video. Findings from this study indicated that even before reviewing the proposed intervention materials, most participants were interested in being a part of an asthma self-management intervention, irrespective of whether it was designed for Black AYAs. Following their review of the proposed intervention, participants’ feedback included the following general themes: (a) participants were interested in learning more about the intervention, (b) they wanted the intervention to be more detailed and specific to Black individuals with asthma, and (c) they saw the potential benefits of participating in a group format. Further implications, limitations, and future directions for this study are discussed.

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