title: [Application of leventhal "illness representation" in nursing practice].
abstract: The self-regulation model proposed by Leventhal and colleagues is one theoretical model that addresses how cognitive and emotional factors influence coping behaviours and outcomes. The model depicts a self- regulative system that integrates illness representation (cognitive and emotional), coping procedures used to manage threats, and criteria used by the individual to evaluate coping process outcomes (appraisal). This model describes a system whereby an individual's cognitive and emotional construction of an illness guides his/her coping, appraisal and ultimate health behaviour. The five components identified in the cognitive illness representation include identity, cause, timeline, consequence and control/cure. The overview and analysis discussed in this paper will help nurses better understand the "spirit" of illness representation and further apply such in clinical practice to assess correctly illness perception and provide more appropriate interventions to improve illness self-management.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Chiu-Chu
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Shu-Chen
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chia-Chen
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D003071:Cognition; D004644:Emotions; D006801:Humans; D055809:Illness Behavior; D009732:Nursing Care