title: A middle-range theory of self-care of chronic illness.
abstract: Nearly 50% of adults have one or more chronic illnesses. Self-care is considered essential in the management of chronic illness, but the elements of self-care in this context have not been specified in a middle-range theory. This article describes a middle-range theory of self-care that addresses the process of maintaining health with health promoting practices within the context of the management required of a chronic illness. The key concepts include self-care maintenance, self-care monitoring, and self-care management. Assumptions and propositions of the theory are specified. Factors influencing self-care including experience, skill, motivation, culture, confidence, habits, function, cognition, support from others, and access to care are described.
authors: School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, 418 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. briegel@nursing.upenn.edu
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Riegel
authors: Tiny
authors: T
authors: Jaarsma
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Strömberg
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016294:Models, Nursing; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index