Journal
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY IN MEDICAL SETTINGS
Volume 25, Issue 4, Pages 429-440Publisher
SPRINGER/PLENUM PUBLISHERS
DOI: 10.1007/s10880-018-9552-0
Keywords
Chronic illness; Congenital heart defects; Multisystem connective tissue disorders; Illness identity; Psychological functioning
Categories
Funding
- Research Foundation - Flanders [G.0B35.14N, 1102317N]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The present study examines the concept of illness identity, the degree to which a chronic illness is integrated into one's identity, in adults with a chronic illness by validating a new self-report questionnaire, the Illness Identity Questionnaire (IIQ). Self-report questionnaires on illness identity, psychological, and physical functioning were assessed in two samples: adults with congenital heart disease (22-78year old; n=276) and with multisystem connective tissue disorders (systemic lupus erythematosus or systemic sclerosis; 17-81year old; n=241). The IIQ could differentiate four illness identity states (i.e., engulfment, rejection, acceptance, and enrichment) in both samples, based on exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. All four subscales proved to be reliable. Rejection and engulfment were related to maladaptive psychological and physical functioning, whereas acceptance and enrichment were related to adaptive psychological and physical functioning. The present findings underscore the importance of the concept of illness identity. The IIQ, a self-report questionnaire, is introduced to measure four different illness identity states in adults with a chronic illness.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available