Children with asthma who attend residential summer camp: Self-care behavior and attitudes

This pretest-posttest descriptive research examined 27 school-age children in camper and noncamper groups. Children's self-care behavior and attitudes about asthma before and after a residential summer camp for children with asthma are described.;The hypotheses were (1) children who attend camp have (a) increased self-care behavior and (b) improved attitude toward asthma; (2) the child's increase in self-care is related to (a) the parent's health locus of control, (b) the child's health locus of control, and (c) the child's attitude toward asthma.;Self-care was positively related to attitude toward asthma and age. The hypothesized changes in self-care behavior and attitude toward asthma were not supported. The discussion includes critical review of the sampling procedure, methodology, and instruments; and recommendations for future instrument development.