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. 2022 Oct;27(12):2763-2769.
doi: 10.1177/13591053211064986. Epub 2021 Dec 22.

Examining commonsense epidemiology: The case of asthma

Gabrielle Pogge  1 , Erika A Waters  2 , Gregory D Webster  1 , David Fedele  1 , Sreekala Prabhakaran  1 , James A Shepperd  1
Affiliations

Examining commonsense epidemiology: The case of asthma

Gabrielle Pogge et al. J Health Psychol. 2022 Oct.

Abstract

Commonsense epidemiology-how lay people think about diseases and their causes and consequences-can influence how people respond. We examined three lay epidemiological beliefs about 20 triggers and 19 symptoms among 349 caregivers of children with asthma. Our findings contradicted the prevalence-seriousness hypothesis (perceived prevalence and seriousness correlate negatively). The data partially supported the prevalence-control hypothesis (perceived prevalence and asthma control correlate negatively). We found weak support for the seriousness-control hypothesis (perceived seriousness and asthma control correlate negatively). These findings suggest boundary conditions on the application of commonsense epidemiological beliefs.

Keywords: asthma caregivers; asthma control; asthma triggers and symptoms; childhood asthma; commonsense epidemiology.

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