Using positive emotions to help teens manage asthma
Positive Affect and Pediatric Asthma: An Innovative Positive Psychology Model to Improve Asthma Management and Health
This project looks at whether boosting positive feelings can help adolescents with asthma stick to daily inhaler medicines and feel less stressed.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Chapman University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Orange, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126030 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are a teen with asthma, researchers will teach simple skills from positive psychology to increase positive emotions like happiness and gratitude. The program aims to reduce stress and encourage regular use of daily inhaled corticosteroids, which prevent asthma attacks. Study staff will track inhaler use, stress levels, and asthma symptoms over time to see if the approach leads to better asthma control. The methods may include regular follow-up visits or remote check‑ins and behavior-focused coaching tailored for 12–20 year olds.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescents aged 12–20 with persistent asthma who are prescribed daily preventive inhaled corticosteroids and have difficulty with adherence or high stress.
Not a fit: This approach may not benefit children under 12, adults, or people whose asthma does not require daily preventive inhalers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help teens take their preventive inhalers more reliably, reduce stress, and improve overall asthma control.
How similar studies have performed: Positive-affect interventions have improved health behaviors in other conditions, but applying them specifically to adolescent asthma adherence is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Orange, United States
- Chapman University — Orange, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jenkins, Brooke — Chapman University
- Study coordinator: Jenkins, Brooke
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.