Illness perception, personality and health

Question 1

Illness perception

Answer 1

They experience a series of emotional reactions that the doctor should consider if necessary. The meaning of the disease per se does not seem to be enough as the perception of the disease by the patient turns to be important. With the demands of the disease, coping strategies must be used. This process will lead to the response to the disease.

Question 2

Factors that influence the perception of the disease

Answer 2

1. Patient variables
2. Variables of the disease
3. Social context

Question 3

Patient variables

Answer 3

age and previous experiences
Personality
Locus of control (cause of origin of certain events, it can be internal control or external control or due to chance)
Psychological state of the patient at the time of illness.

Question 4

Variables of the disease

Answer 4

Real severity
Appearance and duration
Connotations
Part of the body that is affected
Quality of life

Question 5

Social context

Answer 5

Family environment and cultural environment and contact with health personnel

Question 6

Demands imposed by the disease

Answer 6

1. Demands related to the disease (change and collaboration)
2. Emotional demands such as maintaining a self-image and the emotional balance. New role status. Obbligations and emotional benefits.

Question 7

Adverse emotional responses

Answer 7

Depression: psychiatric illness in which sadness is one more symptom.
Anxiety disorders: it is not only the symptom of anxiety but a mental disorder.
Nonspecific
Phobias or others: intense non-coherent fear to treatment.
Emotional reaction

Question 8

Implications for assistance

Answer 8

Changes in emotions and behavior.
Emotional responses 
Expression of emotion
Emotional support
Informed

Question 9

Illness representations (cognitive)

Answer 9

Identity: presence or absence of symptoms.
Cause
Consequence
Timeline
Cure/control

Question 10

Identity component

Answer 10

Concerned with patients’ ideas about the label, the nature of their condition (ie associated symptoms) and the links between these.

Question 11

Causal component

Answer 11

Comprises the patient’s ideas about the likely cause or causes of the illness

Question 12

Time-line component

Answer 12

Indicates their perceptions of the likely duration of their health problems and these have been categorised as acute/short-lasting, chronic, or cyclical.

Question 13

Consequence component

Answer 13

Reflects the individual’s beliefs about the illness severity and likely impact on physical, social and psychological functioning.

Question 14

Cure component

Answer 14

Indicates the extent to which the patient believes their condition is amenable to cure or control.