COPING WITH CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS IN OLD AGE AND THE IMPLICATION FOR PERCEPTION OF HEALTH STATUS
Abstract
The presence of chronic health problems has been identified as a major concern of the elderly. Chronic conditions are especially prevalent in this age group and as cures or total remission of symptoms are unlikely, it is necessary to find ways to assist people in adjusting to their illnesses by managing the emotions and problems that accompany deteriorating health status. The present study was intended to investigate whether the self-perception of health status was in part based on objective health condition and the way individuals cope with persistent health problems. Ego development was investigated as a personality factor that may influence the selective utilization of coping modes and strategies. The goal of this study was to identify the contribution of personality factors in predicting which coping methods can be effectively employed to deal with chronic health problems in order to assist people in assuming a productive and satisfying level of functioning. The conclusions which can be drawn from this study may be limited by shortcomings in sampling procedures. The results indicated that the presence and severity of chronic health problems as identified by physicians was essentially unrelated to respondents' self-ratings of their health status. However, it was determined that ego development was a significant predictor of the person's assessment of their health status and appeared to influence the way they view themself in relation to their health related circumstances. In addition, the interaction terms of the products of physician-rated health status, ego development, and mode of coping were significant in predicting the variance in self-rated health status. Ego development was found to influence how an individual evaluates their health in relation to the physician and serves to pattern the way they interpret the meaning and context of their health-related problems. This finding demonstrated that people's perception of their health status largely depends on subjective factors involving the physician's general evaluation of their health, their cognitive appraisal relative to the physician's evaluation, and the perception of their ability to adapt to the situational demands. The results were interpreted to implicate cognitive appraisal in facilitating the process of psychological adaptation to health disorders. The findings of this study also demonstrated significant differences between people at the conformist and post-conformist levels of ego development in their use of modes of coping, use of problem-focused coping strategies, and ratings of their health status. The findings were discussed in relation to their implication for therapeutic intervention and avenues for future research.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Psychotherapy
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