Obtaining support (Table 5)
Supportive relationships have been shown to have a positive impact on
the management and control of asthma and/or allergic disease and in the
overall well-being of AYA. Effective communication and fostering
positive views about treatment can improve self-management, adherence,
asthma control and quality of
life.33,35,38,43,44,53,58,86-89 An unsupportive family
environment has been associated with poor outcomes.86Adolescents tend not to report asthma symptoms to their parents and
care-givers. Enrolling the family in assisting the AYA to undertake
self-management of their asthma and allergy may be recommended (Grade
C).33,35,38,43,44,53,58,86-89 This can be gradually
achieved over time, as appropriate to the age of the AYA. Simple
modifications to the family’s routines to create time to take treatment
may assist with adherence to therapy.43,44
From early adolescence onwards, along with growing independence,
relationships de-centralise from the core family to peers, friends and
other social networks. Social comparison and being part of the group
become increasingly important. As a result, the AYA may feel embarrassed
about their allergy and/or asthma due to fear of being perceived as
different from their peers. To prevent this, it may be recommended to
encourage AYA to let their friends know about their allergy and/or
asthma and how they can help in an emergency (Grade
C).29,31,32,45,59 Friends may be invited to clinic
appointments or practical workshops where they can be provided with
hands-on training in symptom recognition, the use of adrenaline
auto-injectors and other aspects of emergency management of allergy and
asthma.29,31,32,45,59
Promoting allergy and/or asthma awareness (e.g. triggers and treatment)
among peers/ co-workers and teachers/ managers to support the AYA
patient with self-management may be recommended (Grade
C).33,45,61,62,90 Information about the nature of the
allergic conditions, possible triggers and correct treatment may change
their self-perception, and the perceptions of others, and enable
improvement in self-management. Increased awareness may also help reduce
allergy- and/or asthma-related bullying in schools and
online.45,62,90
Teenagers like to use applications on their mobile phones and look for
information on the internet; moreover patients have reported finding
online support networks
helpful.29,31,33,38,44,45,58-63,87,88 Signposting AYA
to high quality reliable online resources about allergy and/or asthma
(eg websites, moderated forums) where they can obtain age-appropriate
information and advice may be recommended (Grade C).