title: Conceptualizing and measuring illness self-concept: a comparison with self-esteem and optimism in predicting fibromyalgia adjustment.
abstract: Illness self-concept (ISC), or the extent to which individuals are consumed by their illness, was theoretically described and evaluated with the Illness Self-Concept Scale (ISCS), a new 23-item scale, to predict adjustment in fibromyalgia. To establish convergent and discriminant validity, illness self-concept was compared to self-esteem and optimism in predicting health status, illness intrusiveness, depression, and life satisfaction. The ISCS demonstrated good reliability (alpha = .94; test-retest r = .80) and was a strong predictor of outcomes, even after controlling for optimism or self-esteem. The ISCS predicted unique variance in health-related outcomes; optimism and self-esteem did not, providing construct validation. Illness self-concept may play a significant role in coping with fibromyalgia and may prove useful in the evaluation of other chronic illnesses.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Morea
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Friend
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bennett
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000523:psychology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D055809:Illness Behavior; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires