Using communication to cope with serious illness: A qualitative study of adult cystic fibrosis patients

Marcia L Benjamin, Purdue University

Abstract

This study was an examination of the connection between coping and communication for adults with cystic fibrosis. Focusing on the perspective of the patient, this study was a description of the methods by which patients adjust to their illness, if indeed, they do adjust at all. Cystic fibrosis patients from a nine state area participated in telephone interviews. Ages of the patients ranged from twenty to forty-eight years. Their level of education ranged from high school graduate to advanced degree recipient. Age at diagnosis varied, as did self reported degree of disease severity. Days of hospitalization in a five-year period varied from zero to over five hundred days. Patients were asked questions about how they coped with their disease during a critical period. Critical incidents named by patients ranged from invasive medical procedures to unusual symptoms to relational difficulties resulting from the disease. The study revealed that all patients actively coped with their disease with most using multiple methods to cope. The majority of patients used intrapersonal methods such as positive mental attitude, as their primary coping method. Nearly all patients, however, used interpersonal communication as either their primary or secondary method to cope with their critical incident. More than a third of the patients used a contingency or filter model for coping. Most patients reported a high level of satisfaction with their coping selection. Satisfaction seemed unrelated to coping strategy type. Likewise, severity and coping method was not related in any systematic way.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Webb, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Communication

COinS