Long-term Conditions

Question 1

How is the sociological approach to LTCs different?

Answer 1

Focuses on impact of LTCs on social interactions (e.g. Friendships…) and role performance (e.g. Parent, bread-winner…)

Question 2

What is much sociological research in LTCs based on?

Answer 2

Illness narratives

Question 3

According to the sociological theory of LTC, on what must one “work” to improve coping?

Answer 3

1. Actual illness
2. Everyday life
3. Emotions
4. Biography
5. Identity

Question 4

What does illness work consist of?

Answer 4

1. Getting diagnosis
2. Managing symptoms
3. Self-management

Question 5

What does everyday life work involve?

Answer 5

1. Coping = cognitive processes to deal with problem
2. Strategic management = actions involved in dealing with disease and impacts
3. Normalisation = redesigning new life as normal rather than trying to preserve old identity

Question 6

What is emotional work?

Answer 6

Work to protect emotional well being of others, e.g. Being cheery self, downplaying symptoms.

Work to deal with loss of role in society, e.g. Bread winner

Question 7

What is biographical work?

Answer 7

Dealing with loss of self image, new consciousness of body

Question 8

What is identity work?

Answer 8

Dealing with stigma

Question 9

What is the difference between discreditable and discredited stigma?

Answer 9

• discreditable = only occurs if condition is revealed, e.g. HIV
• discredited = physically visible characteristic or know condition that sets apart, e.g. Known suicide attempt, no legs

Question 10

What is the difference between felt and enacted stigma?

Answer 10

Enacted = real experience of prejudice or discrimination
Felt = fear of enacted stigma, associated with feeling of shame

Question 11

What is the difference between depression and anxiety?

Answer 11

Anxiety : Significant feelings of dread or uneasiness in response to stress

Depression : long term response to loss, failure or helplessness