Relationship of illness perceptions with depression among individuals diagnosed with lupus.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of illness perceptions, as outlined in the Self-Regulatory Model of illness, with depression among individuals diagnosed with lupus.


METHODS
A mail-out questionnaire was completed by 154 members of the Australia Lupus Foundation and Lupus Foundation of New South Wales. Each questionnaire consisted of a Lupus Medical and Symptoms Questionnaire, the Illness Perceptions Questionnaire-Revised and the Cardiac Depression Scale.


RESULTS
Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that individuals who reported a perception of their illness as having negative life consequences, an unpredictable nature and themselves possessing little understanding of lupus, reported high levels of depression.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicated the existence of a high level of depressive symptoms among individuals diagnosed with lupus, and reinforces the need for screening procedures in chronic illness, and treatment interventions that target maladaptive illness perceptions.
Philip
Errol J
EJ
Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA.
Lindner
Helen
H
Lederman
Leah
L
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D003469:Culture; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012803:Sick Role; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires