African American Emerging Adults’ Perspectives on Taking Asthma Controller Medication Adherence in the “Age of Feeling In-Between”

This study included African Americans with asthma in emerging adulthood, a developmental period largely neglected in the research literature but known to be a time of great risk asthma morbidity and mortality. We conducted thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews (N = 19) to explore barriers to adherence in the context of the transition into adulthood. Key themes for non-adherence emerged after careful follow-up prompting by the interviewer: forgetting to take medications, deciding not to take medications as prescribed, and systemic barriers. Clinicians and researchers interested in improving adherence should carefully assess barriers to adherence when working with this population. Effective adherence interventions should target both intentional and unintentional reasons for non-adherence behavior and take into account the unique developmental needs of emerging adults.