Family management of childhood atopic dermatitis.

AIMS: To identify the variables that affect family management of childhood atopic dermatitis and establish a prediction model based on Bandura's self-efficacy theory.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic recurrent skin disease and common health problem in childhood. It is necessary to use an approach that includes parental factors when considering the effective management of childhood atopic dermatitis.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional study design.

METHODS: A convenience sample, comprising 168 Korean mothers caring for a child with atopic dermatitis under the age of 13, was recruited from the paediatric outpatient departments of two general hospitals in Seoul, South Korea. Data were collected using structured self-reported questionnaires including severity, antecedents, effort, self-efficacy and family management of childhood atopic dermatitis from 1 November 2015-28 February 2016. Descriptive statistics about the participants and variables were examined and data were analysed using structural equation modelling.

RESULTS: The hypothetical model had an adequate fit to the data, indicating that severity, antecedents, effort and self-efficacy influenced family management of childhood atopic dermatitis.

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that strategies to support children with atopic dermatitis and their family should consider the influence of such variables.