Social Experience of Chronic Illness

Question 1

Chronic Illness Overview

Answer 1

• Although people are living longer, they spent more years with long-term health problems
• Incidence of degenerative disorders have been progressively increasing
• Chronic illnesses are often associated with a reduction in quality of life

Question 2

Socioeconomic context of chronic illness

Answer 2

• Chronic illness and degree of disability are often associated with the socioeconomic class of individual
• People from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to experience financial, domestic and work-related difficulties due to extra costs incurred directly from home alterations (i.e. mobility problems), special dietary requirements, etc.

Question 3

Labelling Theory (‘Crisis’ Approach)

Answer 3

• Illness is defined as a DEVIATION from the social norm of healthiness
• This model focuses on the societal reaction to those living with a chronic illness
• Shared cultural stereotypes are attached to certain conditions which shape the societal reaction of others to those living with the label
  e. g. suffering from liver cirrhosis means you are an alcoholic
• Secondary deviance – societal reaction causes the patient to undergo behaviour changes and conformation to cultural stereotypes

Question 4

Key stages of Labelling Theory

Answer 4

1) Impairment and disability
2) Negative labelling (contributed by negative social stereotypes transmitted by media)
3) Diminished self esteem and ‘felt’ stigma
4) Isolation and withdrawal from social circles
5) Decrease in confidence and skills
6) Restriction of activities and social roles

Question 5

Stigmatisation

Answer 5

-The concept concerned with consequences of the disease labelling process on patient

Question 6

Enacted stigma

Answer 6

-Social stigma caused by disease labelling, derived not only from societal reaction but also suffering from actual discriminatory experiences

Question 7

Felt stigma

Answer 7

• ‘Imagined’ societal reaction
• An internalised sense of blame regarding own health condition
• Can affect a person’s self-identity

Question 8

Courtesy stigma (aka Stigma by association)

Answer 8

• Stigma can spread to those close to patient with a disease label
• E.g. Parents of disabled child feel guilty

Question 9

‘Biological Disruption’

Answer 9

-Attempts to represent a potential loss of ‘self’ and struggle to maintain normality for those living with a chronic illness

Question 10

Social changes

Answer 10

-Pre-existing relationships do not guarantee positive responses
-Relationships are altered and at risk due to increased social support required
-Requires a re-negotiation of relationships
-‘Comeback’ – the active coping response of patient living with a chronic illness to changing social environment
E.g. Spending more time studying with children instead of playing football due to mobility issues