[Stroke of fate or personal challenge--subjective theories of illness as risk or protective factors in coping with chronic pediatric illness].
Subjective illness theories have been neglected in the study of children's coping with chronic illness. It is hypothesized that a family's lay theory provides the cognitive framework of the coping process and thereby influences coping outcome. In a multimethod study, 79 children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (age 6-12 years) and their parents were interviewed about their subjective illness theories, their coping behaviour and various outcome indicators. Several questionnaires measuring coping, family environment and health-related quality of life were also applied. Six types of subjective illness theories were identified. Families regarding diabetes as a daily strain or as a blow of fate showed particularly high levels of stress and lower quality of life compared to other groups. Families with inconsistent subjective illness theories were also at risk for lower quality of life. Ideas for prevention and intervention are presented at the end of the article.
katharina.wiehe@gmx.net
Katharina
K
Wiehe
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002648:Child; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D018187:Personal Construct Theory; D012803:Sick Role