Cortisone image and emotional support by key figures in patients with bronchial asthma. An empirical study.
In a subgroup of patients with bronchial asthma, irrational fears of steroid medication can be observed beyond justified worries about side-effects. A cortisone image which involves overemphasizing the threatening aspects of cortisone often underlies non-compliant illness behaviour. In the present study, cortisone image and the relationship with a key figure was investigated in 62 patients with bronchial asthma, all of whom had participated in a structured asthma treatment and teaching programme (ATTP). The data show that (1) perceiving cortisone as threatening predicts poor adherence to ATTP guidelines how to manage severe attacks, and (2) patients having a supportive relationship with their key figure are less likely to experience threatening aspects of cortisone.
Wöller
W
W
Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf, FRG.
Kruse
J
J
Winter
P
P
Mans
E J
EJ
Alberti
L
L
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D003348:Cortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012944:Social Support
D003348:Cortisone