The Interaction Between Asthma, Emotions, and Expectations in the Time of COVID-19

Eleonora Volpato,1,2 Paolo Banfi,2 Francesco Pagnini1,3 1Department of Psychology, Universita’ Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy; 2IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, Italy; 3Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USACorrespondence: Eleonora Volpato, Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Via Nirone, 15 CAP. 20123, Milan, Italy, Email eleonora.volpato@unicatt.itIntroduction: The main aim was to gain insight into the experience of adult people with a diagnosis of at least 6-months of mild or moderate persistent asthma according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), and their emotions, beliefs, and expectations during the first wave of COVID-19.Methods: Qualitative semi-structured interviews using the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) were carried out by phone involving 31 people (mean age=58.2; SD=16.2). Interviews were audio recording, transcribed verbatim and analysed through thematic analysis.Results: Five superordinate themes and themes were dedicated to illness (symptoms of asthma; difficulties related to COVID-19), experienced emotions (lockdown period; medical changes; emotions COVID-19 related), beliefs (about asthma; about COVID-19), expectations (related to asthma; related to COVID-19) and behaviours (to protect; risk taken; adherence; contacts with General Practitioners; support). The prevalence of emotions such as fear, worry and anxiety emerged in the participants’ narratives. All are accompanied by a preference for action and problem solving. A sense of protection, connection to self and other, and commitment to life were revealed as central concepts for enhancing well-being even at a time of deterring.Discussion: The common threads of the presence of uncertainty and vulnerability open the outlook of a treatment that ensures greater continuity and ownership of care in the patient, preserving the sense of self-efficacy even in times of greater instability.Keywords: asthma, interpretative phenomenological analysis, COVID-19, clinical psychology