OBJECTIVES: Asthmatics are at increased risk of FMD, which is further associated with poor self-management, risky behaviors, and future risk of asthma exacerbations. There is limited understanding of factors contributing to FMD in asthmatics. The study examines if FMD risk is increased with worsening levels of “asthma control”, taking into consideration comorbidity, psychosocial and demographic factors among active asthmatics. METHODS: Weighted data of active asthmatic adults (≥18 years) was derived from Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System-Asthma Call-Back Survey, 2008-09. Active asthmatics were adults reporting at-least one asthma related activity (symptoms, medication, or physician visit) in past year.  Asthma control was categorized as well-controlled, not well-controlled, and very poorly-controlled asthma (VPCA), as per National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute-Expert Panel Report-3. Asthmatics diagnosed with COPD/Emphysema/Bronchitis were classified as having comorbidity. FMD was defined as “mental health not good due to stress, depression, or any emotional problem for ≥14 days in past 30 days”. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed using SAS® 9.3. RESULTS: Among active asthmatics (N=27,100,135), 28.27% had VPCA, and 18.18% had FMD. Proportion of VPCA was significantly higher in; elderly, unmarried, unemployed, low-income, obese, smokers, and in those; having comorbidity, lacking emotional/social support, and lacking physical activity. After controlling for covariates, VPCA (OR=1.49, p=0.0004), increased FMD risk, while key psychosocial factors like emotional/social support (OR=0.28, p<0.0001) and physical activity (OR=0.70, p=0.0010) decreased FMD risk. Demographics at increased FMD risk were: non-elderly, females, unemployed, low-income, smokers, depression history. Comorbidity showed no significant association with FMD. CONCLUSIONS: VPCA imposes significant mental-burden on Active Asthmatics. Appropriate asthma care integrated with psychological support should be ensured to this group. Behavioral strategies like non-smoking, physical activity should be ensured by policy-makers, especially because they also decrease FMD risk. Future studies should explore psychological interventions that can benefit respiratory and mental health of asthmatics.