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Background: To investigate the current status of health information-seeking behavior (HISB) of periodontitis patients, and to identity its main influencing factors using the Comprehensive Model of Information Seeking (CMIS). Methods: In total, 274 periodontitis patients were recruited from a specialized dental hospital in Hangzhou by purposive sampling method for a cross-sectional study. Demographics, direct experience, salience, beliefs, characteristics and utility were 6 variables of CMIS. Data were collected from the patients by using the general information questionnaire, the Health Information Seeking Behavior Scale, the Self-Efficacy Scale for Self-care (SESS) for measuring belief, the Short Form of Health Literacy Dental Scale (HeLD⁃14) for measuring direct experience, and the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) for measuring salience. Univariate analysis and regression analysis were utilized to determine the factors influencing the HISB. Results: The HISB score of periodontitis patients in this study was 3.68 ± 0.40. The low level of HISB was negatively associated with multiple factors, including age of 40 ~ 59 (odds ratio [OR] 0.041, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.006–0.299), age of 18 ~ 39 (OR 0.053, 95%CI 0.008–0.364), low level of understandability of information (characteristic) [OR 0.317, 95%CI 0.119–0.840] and low level of satisfaction of information (utility) [OR 0.027, 95%CI 0.008–0.089]. However, low level of HISB was positively correlated with medium self-efficacy level [OR 3.112, 95% CI 1.463–6.747] and low self-efficacy level [OR 8.061, 95% CI 1.981–32.807]. Conclusions: According to the CMIS model, we identified several factors influencing health-seeking behaviors (HISB). Lower levels of HISB are closely associated with older age and lower level of understandability and satisfaction of information. Conversely, higher self-efficacy may encourage patients to seek health information more actively. Therefore, it is essential to focus on elderly patients and assess their information expectations and needs in a timely manner, while also working to enhance their self-efficacy to promote more effective access to health information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the cognitive representations and emotional responses to living with chronic heart failure of people receiving limited community disease management. Background: Individuals living with heart failure face self‐care and emotional challenges due to the overwhelming nature of adapting to lifestyle changes, particularly in subtropical areas. Design: Qualitative descriptive. We applied Leventhal's Common Sense Model of Self‐Regulation as the framework for interviews and analyses. Methods: Twenty patients with chronic heart failure were interviewed during a hospital admission for exacerbation of their condition in a tertiary hospital in Thailand. Results: Analysis of the components of Leventhal's model of cognitive representations of illness revealed two themes relating to Illness Identity: (1) lack of knowledge of the diagnosis and how to recognise symptoms of the disease, and (2) recognition of symptoms of an exacerbation of CHF was based on past experience rather than education. These resulted in delays responding to cardiac instability and confusion about the intent of treatment. Participants recognised the chronicity of their disease but experienced it as an unrelenting cycle of relative stability and hospitalisations. Perceived Controllability was low. Two themes were: (1) Low perceived trust in the efficacy of medical treatment and lifestyle changes, and (2) Low perceived trust in their ability to comply with recommended lifestyle changes. The Consequences were significant emotional distress and high burden of disease. The two themes of emotional responses were (1) Frustration and hopelessness with the uncertainty and unpredictability of the disease, and (2) Sense of loss of independence, functional capacity and participation in life's activities. Conclusion: Chronically ill patients need support to understand their illness and make better treatment and lifestyle decisions. Improving patients' self‐efficacy to manage treatment and symptom fluctuations has the potential to improve their mental well‐being and minimise the impact of their condition on suffering and participation in employment and community. Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care: Leventhal's Common Sense Model of Self‐Regulation can be used to examine cognitive and emotional elements of illness perceptions, which link to individuals' ability to make informed decisions about disease management and influence health behaviours. Understanding illness perceptions underpins strategies for enhancing and sustaining self‐management behaviours. Impact: The study findings accentuate the need to establish long‐term condition support programs in low‐middle income countries where the burden of heart failure is increasing exponentially. Reporting Method: The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guideline was used to explicitly and comprehensively report our qualitative research. Patient or Public Contribution: Patients contributed to the conduct of the study by participating in the data collection via face‐to‐face interviews. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to conduct a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of foreign patients to analyze the impact of patients' illness perceptions on their need for professional medical interpreters. From February 2022 to May 2023, an online questionnaire was distributed to 4,962 individuals aged 18 years or older who were non-native speakers of Japanese. These individuals were enrolled in organizations such as international exchange associations and Japanese language support classes and had utilized medical institutions in Japan due to their own illness or injury or that of their children. Among the 312 valid responses, international patients with a high score for illness perception were more likely to want to utilize professional medical interpreters than those with a low score for illness perception (odds ratio, 1.968; 95% confidence interval, 1.044–3.709; P = 0.036). Our findings suggest that hospitals should be better prepared to meet the potential language needs of international patients with a higher illness perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disease recurrence perception plays a key role in disease management and subsequent disease recurrence prevention. However, there are no specific tools for assessing disease recurrence perception in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterized by alternating remission and recurrence. To develop and validate an instrument for measuring disease recurrence perception of patients with IBD, the study was conducted in two steps: (1) instrument development and (2) psychometric tests. A total of 623 patients with IBD participated in the study. The common sense model of illness self‐regulation (CSM) was used as a framework for instrument development. The administered version contained 48 items intended to be relevant to at least one of the six dimensions of the model. Based on preliminary analyzes, 12 items were deleted leaving 36 items for more detailed psychometric and factor analyzes. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the total 36‐item instrument was 0.915. The content validity indexes at item and scale levels were satisfactory. The test‐retest reliability of the total instrument was 0.870. Exploratory principal components analysis (n = 278) was used to identify six components congruent with intended CSM constructs that accounted for 62.6% of total item variance. Confirmatory factor analysis (n = 345) found acceptable fit for the six factor measurement model (χ2/df = 1.999, GFI = 0.846, NFI = 0.855, IFI = 0.922, TLI = 0.910, CFI = 0.921, RMSEA = 0.054). Overall, the DRPSIBD demonstrated satisfactory reliability and validity to warrant further development as a measure of disease recurrence perception of patients with IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Methods Results Conclusion Describe the current status of illness perception, depression, and self‐management behaviors among women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during the COVID‐19 pandemic, and explore the role of depression in the relationship between illness perception and self‐management behaviors among women with GDM.Pregnant women diagnosed with GDM were recruited at the obstetrics clinic of a Grade‐A tertiary hospital in Wuhan, through convenience sampling. Self‐reported questionnaires including basic information, illness perception, depression, and self‐management behaviors were used to collect data from April 2021 to February 2022. Mediation analysis was performed by SPSS Process macro.Among GDM pregnant women, the mean self‐management behaviors score was 73.89 (SD = 12.21), the mean illness perception score was 31.80 (SD = 8.77), and 44.3% had depression scores of 10 or higher. The indirect effect of illness perception on self‐management behaviors mediated by depression was significant (path a * b, β = −0.045), accounting for 26.6% of the total effect.GDM pregnant women have a certain negative illness perception of GDM, and the detection rate of depression symptoms is relatively high. The level of self‐management behaviors among GDM pregnant women is notably suboptimal and warrants improvement. Depression partially mediates the relationship between illness perception and self‐management behaviors. Improving positive illness perception and decreasing depression are important strategies to improve self‐management behaviors in women with GDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigated the mediating effects of coping strategies and psychological status on the relationship between illness perception and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 178 patients with AF who were admitted to a tertiary hospital in Beijing City in mainland from March 2020 and June 2022. Assessments were made for HRQoL using the Short Form Health Survey depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, anxiety using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), illness perception using the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), AF symptoms using the Atrial Fibrillation Severity Scale (AFSS), and coping strategies using the Brief-COPE Scale. Results: Significant correlations were observed between illness perception, emotional variables, coping strategies, and HRQoL scores. The regression analysis found that BIPQ, GAD, Maladaptive coping and Problem-focused coping are significant predictors of PCS (F = 20.906, R2 = 0.326, p < 0.01) and MCS (F = 31.24, R2 = 0.419, p < 0.01). Bootstrap samples were used to conduct mediation analysis. The indirect effects of GAD-7 and Problem-focused coping (PC) on the impact of BIPQ on QoL were significant. GAD accounted for 13.2–19.3% of the variance in the total effect across different models, while PC accounted for 22.1–25.8%. The results also indicated a significant chain effect in the illness percepitong-anxiety-coping style-QoL model, which can explain 4.3–10.2% of the total effect, respectively. Conclusions: The perception of illness significantly influenced HRQoL in patients with AF, as mediated by emotional symptoms and coping strategies. This highlights the importance of anxiety and problem-focused coping mechanisms. These findings underscore the need for a holistic, patient-centered approach to AF management that incorporates emotional well-being and coping strategies. Trial registration: Retrospectively registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05974098). The date of registration: 1 August 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine associations between illness perception, also called illness cognitions or appraisals, disposition of passive coping, and symptoms of anxiety and depression, and to test whether passive coping mediates the associations between illness perception and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Materials and methods: Longitudinal, multicentre study. Participants were inpatients of spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation. Measures included the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ), the Utrecht Coping List passive coping subscale (UCL-P), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Mediation was tested with the PROCESS tool. Results: The questionnaires were completed by 121 participants at admission and at discharge. Of them, 70% were male, 58% had a paraplegia, and 82% an incomplete lesion. Weak to strong (0.294–0.650) significant associations were found between each pair of study variables. The use of passive coping strategies mediated the associations between illness perception and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Conclusion: Symptoms of anxiety and depression were more frequent in people who have a threatening illness perception combined with a lower use of passive coping strategies. Therefore, it is advised that patients are screened and treated for threatening illness perception and high use of passive coping strategies during rehabilitation after SCI. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: For rehabilitation professionals it is recommended to screen inpatients with spinal cord injury (SCI) for illness perception and disposition of passive coping to identify those who may be more vulnerable for symptoms of anxiety and depression at admission. Inpatients with SCI who report a threatening illness perception in combination with a high use of passive coping at admission, have an increased risk for symptoms of anxiety and depression. For rehabilitation professionals it is recommended to repeat this screening to support careful planning of psychological (follow-up) treatment and coordination of care at discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have noted the link between rosacea severity and quality of life, but there is limited understanding of how disease perception impacts these aspects. Additionally, sun exposure is identified as a common trigger for rosacea flare‐ups, emphasizing the importance of sun protection practices in managing the condition. This cross‐sectional study aims to fill the gap in the literature by investigating the relationship between clinical severity, disease perception, quality of life, and sun protection behaviors in rosacea patients. Methods: Questionnaires assessing the quality of life, illness perception, sun protection behaviors, sun protection decisional balance, and its potential predictors were completed by 120 rosacea patients and 120 controls. Results: Patients exhibited a higher prevalence of sun protection behaviors than the control group (24.15 ± 5.76 vs. 17.63 ± 5.56, p < 0.001) and demonstrated greater determination in adhering to sun protection practices (13.43 ± 2.37 vs. 9.40 ± 3.09, p < 0.001). Hierarchical linear regression analyses showed that quality of life was related to clinical severity, illness perception (consequences, illness coherence, emotional representations), causal attribution (risk factors, immunity), and sun protection decisional balance variables (R2 = 0.45, F = 7.39, p < 0.001). Also, the perceived pros and cons of sun protection behaviors were predicted by illness perception (treatment control), causal attribution (risk factors, immunity, chance/accident), and quality of life variables (R2 = 0.24, F = 2.59, p = 0.004). Conclusions: Providing more information to rosacea patients can improve their disease perception and quality of life, increasing adherence to sun protection behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between illness perception, sense of coherence, illness activity, medication adherence and quality of life in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHOD A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 95 patients with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, who completed a series of online questionnaires. The questionnaires included the Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire measuring health-related quality of life, the Sense of Coherence Scale, the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, the Crohn’s Disease Activity Scale (Harvey-Bradshaw Index), the Simple Colitis Activity Index and a questionnaire covering demographic and clinical data. RESULTS Statistically significant correlations were observed between quality of life and a series of variables such as sense of coherence, illness perception, and illness activity. On multiple linear regression analysis, improved quality of life was found to be related to less negative and threatening illness perceptions, high sense of coherence, and a patient’s diagnosis of Crohn’s disease. Regarding mediation analyses, it was found that sense of coherence and illness activity indirectly affected the quality of life of patients with IBD through illness perception. CONCLUSIONS The present study highlights the importance of enhancing sense of coherence and illness perception through psychosocial interventions, with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life of patients with IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Breast cancer is considered one of the most frequent causes of morbidity and death in women. Individuals' response to information regarding health threats and illness can influence the adjustment of the treatment to existing conditions including the issues of non-completion of treatment or non-attendance at medical appointments. The study aimed to examine the relationship between illness perception, body image dissatisfaction and (mal)adaptive coping styles in breast cancer patients. A sample of 197 patients with diagnosed breast cancer hospitalized at the Center for Oncology and Radiology, Kragujevac, Serbia, was surveyed. The instruments included sociodemographic questionnaire, a Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), a Body Image Scale (BIS), and a Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (Mini-MAС). Results showed that 52% of the variance of maladaptive coping style in women who underwent mastectomy was explained by the negative illness perception, while body image dissatisfaction reflected through this connection (CFI >.95, GFI >.95, RMSEA =.01, SRMR =.08). Similar results were found in patients with breast-conserving surgery but with lower percentage (36%) of variance explained (CFI >.95, GFI >.95, RMSEA <.02, SRMR <.05). If confirmed by further studies, these results would suggest that patients who underwent mastectomy tend to be more dissatisfied with their body image, have tendency to perceive illness as threatening and resort to maladaptive coping styles. However, any form of appearance modification, including breast-conserving surgery, carries the risk of body image dissatisfaction, and consequently the risk of maladaptive coping behaviors. Our results suggest that health professionals and public policies should put an additional focus on the assessment of the patient's body image dissatisfaction, to improve the health and wellbeing of the affected women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Man Zhang,1,2,&ast; Siman Nie,3,&ast; Ziwei Hai,2 Yixin Du,2 Menghan Jiang,4 Chunfeng Cai2 1Department of Oncology, The First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Wuhan University School of Nursing, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China; 3Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 4Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine College of Health Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Chunfeng Cai, Faculty of Wuhan University School of Nursing, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China, Email 1660433132@qq.comAim: Chronic disease self-management is critical to disease prognosis and patient quality of life. Several psychological factors influence this process of self-management. In this background, the present study investigated the impact of illness perceptions and coping style on self-management in people with peritoneal dialysis (PD).Methods: The study is a cross-sectional study. From May 2022 to January 2023, a convenience sampling method was used to recruit 246 peritoneal dialysis patients. General information questionnaire, brief illness perception questionnaire, medical coping style modes questionnaire and the self-management scale for peritoneal dialysis patients were used in this study. We used SPSS 24.0 to analyze the data, and the statistical methods included descriptive analysis, single factor analysis, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis.Results: A total of 246 patients were included in this study (93.89% response rate). Cognitive representations and emotional representations were 30.40, 14.18, respectively. However, illness comprehensibility was 2.87. Illness perceptions were negative significantly correlated with self-management. With regard to coping style, our patients were more likely to adopt avoidance and resignation coping style. Confrontation and avoidance were positively related to self-management, while acceptance-resignation was negatively related.Conclusion: Self-management of peritoneal dialysis patients needs to be improved. Age, female sex, monthly income, illness perceptions and coping style were independently associated with self-management.Impact: These findings suggest that interventions that improve illness perceptions and coping style should be explored to ultimately improve their self-management. For example, patients can be provided with psychological counseling so that they can face the disease correctly, and we should pay attention to the positive role of social support.Keywords: peritoneal dialysis, illness perception, coping style, self-management

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate type D personality and its relationship with illness perception and other disease parameters in patients with gout. Materials and Methods: The study included 59 patients with gout who met the eligibility criteria and a control group of an equal number of relatively healthy individuals. Type D personality and psychological evaluation of all participants were assessed with the Type D Personality Scale (DS14) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), respectively. The Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ) was used to evaluate patients’ illness perception. Results: The median age of the patients was 48 years (20); 79.7% were male. The frequency of type D personality was 30.5% in patients with gout, and this rate was higher than that in healthy controls (13.5%) (p=0.026). Patients with type D personality had higher numeric rating scale-pain (NRS-pain), C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Gout Activity Score (GAS), BDI, and B-IPQ scores than those without type D personality. A significant positive moderate-strong correlation (Spearman’s rho ranged from 0.525 to 0.753) was found between the B-IPQ score and the tender joint count, NRS-pain, GAS, BDI, DS14 total score, social inhibition, and negative affectivity subscale scores. Conclusion: The results of our study showed that type D personality was associated with negative illness perception, psychological health, perceived pain severity, and disease activity in individuals with gout. In this context, it supports the possibility that assessing personality traits, interventional planning, and education that change disease perception may be an effective strategy to improve health outcomes in patients with gout.

Abstract Background This study investigated the mediating effects of coping strategies and psychological status on the relationship between illness perception and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled 178 patients with AF who were admitted to a tertiary hospital in Beijing City in mainland from March 2020 and June 2022. Assessments were made for HRQoL using the Short Form Health Survey depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, anxiety using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), illness perception using the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), AF symptoms using the Atrial Fibrillation Severity Scale (AFSS), and coping strategies using the Brief-COPE Scale. Results Significant correlations were observed between illness perception, emotional variables, coping strategies, and HRQoL scores. The regression analysis found that BIPQ, GAD, Maladaptive coping and Problem-focused coping are significant predictors of PCS (F = 20.906, R2 = 0.326, p

Ying Hu,1,&ast; Wenhui Zhu,1,&ast; Xiaocong Wang,1 Yuefan Yu,1 Kangle Shi,2 Qinggang Meng1 1School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Artificial Intelligence, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Qinggang Meng; Kangle Shi, Email mqgangzy@126.com; bucmskl@sina.comBackground: This qualitative study, part of a prospective mixed-methods research, aimed to gain insights into the medical experiences and disease perceptions of Chinese patients living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Specifically, the study examined how RA patients’ perceptions of their disease were influenced by the diagnosis and treatment they receive.Methods: RA patients undergoing treatment were invited to participate in this qualitative study. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted among 18 patients, and the collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis.Results: The 18 participants in this study had a mean (SD) age of 58, a median disease duration of 6.5 years, and a predominance of female subjects (17 out of 18). The qualitative analysis identified two themes with six sub-themes: 1. Patients’ experiences of treatment: discovery of the disease, misdiagnosis and mistreatment, and patients’ treatment choices; 2. Feelings about the disease: psychological impact, reflections on the disease, and expectations of treatment.Conclusion: This study provides valuable perspectives and data to enhance the understanding of the relationship between patients’ illness perceptions and their healthcare choices.Keywords: rheumatoid arthritis, qualitative study, illness perception, patient choice

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the level of illness perception and medication adherence among adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with a specific focus on understanding how these two factors may be related. Materials and Methods: This descriptive correlation study included all adult patients with T2DM attending the Jeddah Care Centre for Diabetes and Hypertension at King Abdulaziz Hospital between January and April 2022. Data were collected using a questionnaire that elicited sociodemographic and clinical information, and the Arabic versions of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation analysis were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 365 patients were included (mean age: 50.9 ± 15.9 years), with the majority being female (53.4%). Overall, the level of medication adherence was moderate (mean score: 5.36 ± 1.73). Patients with lower medication adherence perceived the consequences of T2DM as more severe, had a stronger association with the illness identity, and experienced more intense emotional responses (for all, P < 0.001). Conversely, patients with higher adherence had a greater sense of personal control, a stronger belief in treatment effectiveness, and a better understanding of the illness (for all, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The study found a correlation between illness perception and medication adherence in patients with T2DM. Addressing patients’ perceptions may enhance their ability to manage the condition more effectively.

BackgroundLung cancer is a malignancy of high incidence rate and mortality in China. The fear of relapse can affect the patient's treatment compliance and reduce their quality of life. There have been previous studies on the relationship between fear of lung cancer relapse and disease perception， as well as disease perception and psychological flexibility. However， current research on the status quo of fear of lung cancer relapse and its correlation with illness perception and psychological flexibility is limited.ObjectiveTo explore the fear of cancer relapse and its relations with illness perception and psychological flexibility in patients with lung cancer， and to provide references for subsequent related clinical interventions.MethodsA total of 96 patients were selected as the research subjects， who were pathologically diagnosed with lung cancer and admitted to Fuyang People's Hospital from January 2021 to July 2022. Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form （FoP-Q-SF）， Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire （BIPQ） and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Ⅱ （AAQ-Ⅱ） were used for evaluation. Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation between scores of various scales， and multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of relapse fear in lung cancer patients.ResultsThe total FoP-Q-SF score of lung cancer patients was （35.35±7.66） and a total of 65 cases （67.71%） had a FoP-Q-SF score≥34. As relevant analyses showed， the BIPQ total score of lung cancer patients was positively correlated with the total score， social family dimension score and physiological health dimension score of Fop-Q-SF （r=0.586， 0.445， 0.475， P

Objective Design Method Results Conclusion Impact Patient or Public Contribution To investigate the level of family resilience among patients with gynaecologic cancer and explore hope as a mediator between perceptions of illness and family resilience.A cross‐sectional study.From May to October 2022, researchers used convenience sampling to survey 320 patients with gynaecological cancer at a level 3A hospital in Jinan City. The study instruments included the General Information Questionnaire, Family Hardiness Index, Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, and Herth Hope Index. SPSS 26.0 was used to analyse the mediation effect of hope.The mean score for family resilience was 55.86 ± 8.62. Illness perception was negatively associated with family resilience, while hope was positively associated with it. Additionally, hope mediated the relationship between illness perception and family resilience.There is considerable room for improvement in family resilience among patients with gynaecologic cancer. Interventions aimed at increasing hope can enhance family resilience.Healthcare providers can boost family resilience by fostering hope in patients, thereby promoting effective coping and adaptation to cancer.Patients primarily completed the questionnaires, providing insights into the factors that hindered and facilitated the development of family resilience. These findings were communicated to caregivers for further understanding and action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) often experience reduced health-related quality of life (HRQOL), which may be attributable to the disease severity and psychological stress. While illness perception is speculated to be a potential pathway underlying these relationships, evidence supporting this mechanism remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between disease severity, psychological stress, and HRQOL and whether these relationships are mediated by illness perception in patients with ACS. Methods and results Data were collected from June to July 2019 and June to September 2020 in the cardiology departments of four public hospitals in China. Eligible patients completed measures of disease severity, psychological stress, illness perception, HRQOL, and socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Data were analysed employing hierarchical multiple regression and structural equation modelling. This study included 405 participants (mean age 60.63 years, 67.4% male). After controlling for socio-demographic and clinical covariates, higher levels of disease severity (β = 0.115 , P = 0.024) and psychological stress (β = −0.209, P ＜0.001) were associated with poorer HRQOL; however, the relationships became non-significant after adding illness perception into the regression model. Structural equation modelling analysis suggested that illness perception played a mediating role between disease severity, psychological stress, and HRQOL, accounting for 45.95% and 65.79% of the total effects, respectively. Conclusion This study found that illness perception mediated the relationships between disease severity, psychological stress, and HRQOL among patients with ACS. Improving patients' HRQOL should consider its important influencing factors with a focus on promoting positive illness perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A best practice physiotherapy model of care (BetterBack MoC) for low back pain (LBP) aimed to improve patients' illness perceptions and self-care enablement, according to the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation (CSM). To confirm if illness perceptions and patient self-care enablement, in line with the CSM, are mediators of treatment effects on disability and pain of the BetterBack MoC for patients with LBP compared to routine primary care. A secondary aim was to explore if illness perceptions and patient self-care enablement are mediators of guideline adherent care. Pre-planned single mediation analyses tested whether hypothesized mediators at 3 months mediated the treatment effect of the MoC (n = 264) compared to routine care (n = 203) on disability and pain at 6 months. Secondary mediation analyses compared guideline adherent care with non-adherent care. No indirect effects were identified. The BetterBack intervention did not have superior effects over routine care on the hypothesized mediators. Illness perceptions and self-care enablement were significantly associated with disability and pain at 6 months. Secondary analyses showed significant indirect effects of guideline adherent care through tested mediators. Despite no indirect effects, patients' illness perceptions and self-care enablement were associated with disability and back pain intensity outcomes and are potentially relevant treatment targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPurposeMethodResultsConclusion\nIMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThis paper aims to understand the distinctive biopsychosocial aspects and patient perspectives on chronic low back pain in Lebanon, an Arab country with a unique and rich cultural heritage.Qualitative, semi-structured interviews with 12 Lebanese patients purposefully sampled from various governorates. The interviews included participants from different geographic areas and religions. The data underwent analysis through an inductive thematic approach guided by a bounded relativist ontology, a subjectivist epistemology, and a descriptive phenomenological framework. The coding process was managed by computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (QSR NVivo version 12.0).The researchers identified and constructed two themes: (1) Chronic low back pain: understanding the impact, coping strategies, and communication patterns in lived experiences within the Lebanese context. This theme sheds light on the complexities of pain management and societal influences in Lebanon. (2) Explanatory model of patients living with chronic low back pain in Lebanon. This theme allowed an exploration of the multifaceted narratives of chronic low back pain.This study found that Lebanese individuals attribute chronic low back pain to biomedical factors despite some recognizing psychosocial elements. It emphasizes the need to educate patients on the biopsychosocial model, facilitate better care, and dispel misconceptions.The exploration of patients’ pain perception may provide an opportunity to better develop and design culturally sensitive pain neuroscience education material for Arab-speaking and Lebanese physical therapists.The rehabilitation process should incorporate a balanced biopsychosocial approach, addressing both physical and psychosocial elements of pain, to provide more effective care and outcomes for Lebanese patients who predominantly attribute chronic low back pain to biomedical factors.Lebanese healthcare professionals need to improve communication with Lebanese patients regarding the nature of chronic low back pain, using clear communication to help dispel misconceptions and enhance rehabilitation outcomes.The exploration of patients’ pain perception may provide an opportunity to better develop and design culturally sensitive pain neuroscience education material for Arab-speaking and Lebanese physical therapists.The rehabilitation process should incorporate a balanced biopsychosocial approach, addressing both physical and psychosocial elements of pain, to provide more effective care and outcomes for Lebanese patients who predominantly attribute chronic low back pain to biomedical factors.Lebanese healthcare professionals need to improve communication with Lebanese patients regarding the nature of chronic low back pain, using clear communication to help dispel misconceptions and enhance rehabilitation outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: A good intimate relationship (IR) can relieve the psychological distress of patients with cervical cancer and promote a sense of well-being during stressful times. Researchers have found that IR is related to illness perception (IP) and dyadic coping (DC). Therefore, this study aimed to (1) describe the IR of patients with cervical cancer, (2) identify the relationships and pathways among IP, DC and IR in patients with cervical cancer and (3) explore the mediating role of DC between IP and IR in cervical cancer patients. Methods: A total of 175 patients with cervical cancer were recruited at a tertiary hospital in China from September 2021 to January 2023. The data were collected through a general demographic and disease-related information questionnaire, the Locke­Wallace Marriage Adjustment Test, the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire of Cervical Cancer and the Dyadic Coping Inventory. Results: The mean score for intimate relationships was 107.78 (SD = 23.99, range 30–154). Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed that intimate relationships were positively correlated with IP (personal control) and DC (stress communication, supportive DC, delegated DC and common DC) and were negatively correlated with IP (consequence, timeline acute/chronic, timeline cyclical and emotional representation) and negative DC. As for the results of the structural equation model, DC fully mediated the influencing effects of both positive and negative IP on IR. Conclusions: The level of IR of patients with cervical cancer in China should be improved. DC has a significant mediating effect on the link between the IP and IR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare, chronic genetic condition with variable features arising from motile cilia dysfunction, including recurrent respiratory infections, sinonasal disease, reduced hearing, infertility and situs inversus. The aim of the study was to understand the experiences of young people with PCD as they transition into adulthood and adult healthcare services. An interpretative phenomenological analytical method was applied. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three participants aged 18–24 years. Four interconnected group experiential themes were identified: (1) reconceptualising a stigmatised identity, (2) sharing the journey to independence, (3) entering adulthood with newfound autonomy, (4) anticipating an uncertain future. Overall, we found that transition for young people with PCD presents as a complex period marked by identity-formation, creating systems of support and becoming an autonomous adult. Facilitation of personalised and integrated approaches to care should be prioritised. Our findings are important to help health professionals provide appropriate, anticipatory support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous research has emphasized the significant role of illness perception in chronic diseases, including Multiple Sclerosis. Limited research has been conducted on exploring illness perception in Pediatric Onset Multiple Sclerosis (POMS), parental illness perception, and the impact of differences in their illness perceptions on the emotional well-being of the child. Method: This study included 65 dyads of children aged 10–17 and their parents, divided into the following two groups: (I) 32 dyads of children with POMS and their parents; and (II) 33 dyads of healthy children and their parents. Results: Overall, 73.1% and 43.8% of the children with POMS met the criteria for probable anxiety and depression, respectively, compared to 27.3% and 0% of the healthy children. Differences were found between the dimensions of illness perception in the POMS children and their parents, in the areas of consequences, personal control, identity, and control factors. Multinomial Logistic Regression indicated that differences in child–parent illness perception increased the likelihood of comorbid anxiety and depression by 37%. Discussion: These findings underscore the importance of alignment between children with POMS and their parents in illness perception. Healthcare providers should prioritize interventions that address illness perceptions and be mindful of the potential impact on depression and anxiety comorbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study explored the effects of social support, illness perception, coping style, and vision-related quality of life (VRQOL) in older patients with dry eye disease (DED) using a chain mediation model. Methods: A total of 407 patients with DED from a tertiary hospital in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China, between June and December 2023 were selected as participants. A demographic questionnaire, the Social Support Rating Scale, the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire, and the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning questionnaire-25 were all given to them to complete. IBM SPSS (version 27.0) was used for data analysis, and Model 6 of the PROCESS Macro was used to test the predicted chain mediation model. Results: The positive association between social support and VRQOL demonstrated the mediation role of illness perception and coping style. Social support affected VRQOL via three pathways: illness perception (effect = 0.190), confrontational coping style (effect = 0.103), and a combination of illness perception and confrontational coping style (effect = 0.067), accounted for 23.60%, 12.80%, and 8.32% of the total effect, respectively. Conclusion: Social support in older patients with DED can significantly and positively predict the VRQOL. In addition to the independent mediating effect of illness perception and confrontational coping style, a chain-mediating effect exists between social support and VRQOL. The study serves as a valuable strategy for healthcare professionals to prevent and intervene in VRQOL for older patients with DED in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Critical-illness survivors may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and quality-of-life impairments. Resilience may protect against psychological trauma but has not been adequately studied after critical illness. We assessed resilience and its associations with PTSD and quality of life, and also identified factors associated with greater resilience. Methods: This prospective, multicentre, study in patients recruited at 41 French ICUs was done in parallel with the NUTRIREA-3 trial in patients given mechanical ventilation and vasoactive amines for shock. Three months to one year after intensive-care-unit admission, survivors completed the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-25), Impact of Event-Revised scale for PTSD symptoms (IES-R), SF-36 quality-of-life scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ). Results: Of the 382 included patients, 203 (53.1%) had normal or high resilience (CD-RISC-25 ≥ 68). Of these resilient patients, 26 (12.8%) had moderate to severe PTSD symptoms (IES-R ≥ 24) vs. 45 (25.4%) patients with low resilience (p = 0.002). Resilient patients had higher SF-36 scores. Factors independently associated with higher CD-RISC-25 scores were higher MSPSS score indicating stronger social support (OR, 1.027; 95%CI 1.008–1.047; p = 0.005) and lower B-IPQ scores indicating a more threatening perception of the illness (OR, 0.973; 95%CI 0.950–0.996; p = 0.02). Conclusions: Resilient patients had a lower prevalence of PTSD symptoms and higher quality of life scores, compared to patients with low resilience. Higher scores for social support and illness perception were independently associated with greater resilience. Thus, our findings suggest that interventions to strengthen social support and improve illness perception may help to improve resilience. Such interventions should be evaluated in trials with PTSD mitigation and quality-of-life improvement as the target outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To explore the perceived illness and treatment expectations of patients with Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder. DESIGN OF STUDY It is a Qualitative Research Design PLACE AND DURATION The study was executed at Department of Psychiatry of six government and four private teaching hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan over a period of 12 months, from Jan 2023 to Dec 2023. METHOD A total of 100 adult participants were recruited as per criteria. Demographic Information Questionnaire and Short Explanatory Model Interview (SEMI) were employed and the qualitative data generated from SEMI was converted to numerical codes and discrete categories by the method of stepwise reduction. The descriptive frequencies were then presented in the tabular format. RESULTS Majority of the participants were female, educated, students and housewives, with 1 – 6 months duration of the illness, mixed symptoms presentation, pseudo seizures and motor symptoms. The main reasons of onset of illness was mentioned as marriage related factors and familial and social factors and majority participants believe that magic can affect others. The intensity of the symptoms were perceived as ‘extreme intense’ associated with the fear about the worsening of symptoms and serious discomfort. The main difficulties due to illness was reported to be lack of interest in daily activities, and increase in problem in relationships. The patients expect proper treatment and prescription of medicines which was followed by responses that they will learn the diagnosis and will receive advice from doctors regarding their illness. CONCLUSION The patient’s perception towards their illness was serious and concerned and their expectations was receiving proper treatment, medications and learning the disorder and doctor’s advice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When patients fail symptom validity tests (SVTs) and/or performance validity tests (PVTs), their self-reported symptoms and test profiles are unreliable and cannot be taken for granted. There are many well-established causes of poor symptom validity and malingering is only of them. Some authors have proposed that a cry for help may underlie poor symptom validity. In this commentary, we argue that cry for help is a (1) metaphorical concept that is (2) difficult to operationalize and, at present, (3) impossible to falsify. We conclude that clinicians or forensic experts should not invoke cry for help as an explanation for poor symptom validity. To encourage conceptual clarity, we propose a tentative framework for explaining poor symptom validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study investigates how the Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP) helps men with prostate cancer by promoting patient empowerment and activation. This program encourages patients to engage actively in their care, fostering healthy living habits daily, over six months. Involving 128 patients, this research found that those participating in the PC-PEP experienced significant improvements in self-efficacy and emotional responses, leading to reduced psychological distress compared to those receiving standard care. These findings underscore the importance of integrating the PC-PEP into clinical practice to enhance mental health and patient care strategies. Understanding how interventions reduce psychological distress in patients with prostate cancer is crucial for improving patient care. This study examined the roles of self-efficacy, illness perceptions, and heart rhythm coherence in mediating the effects of the Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP) on psychological distress compared to standard care. In a randomized controlled trial, 128 patients were assigned to either the PC-PEP intervention or standard care. The PC-PEP, a six-month program emphasizing daily healthy living habits, included relaxation and stress management, diet, exercise, pelvic floor muscle exercises, and strategies to improve relationships and intimacy, with daily activities supported by online resources and live sessions. Participants in the intervention group showed significant improvements in self-efficacy and specific illness perceptions, such as personal control and emotional response, compared to the control group. These factors mediated the relationship between the intervention and its psychological benefits, with self-efficacy accounting for 52% of the reduction in psychological distress. No significant differences in heart rhythm coherence were observed. This study highlights the critical role of self-efficacy and illness perceptions in enhancing psychological health in prostate cancer patients through the PC-PEP. The results underscore this program's effectiveness and the key mechanisms through which it operates. Given the high rates of distress among men undergoing prostate cancer treatments, these findings emphasize the importance of integrating the PC-PEP into clinical practice. The implementation of the PC-PEP in clinical settings can provide a structured approach to reducing psychological distress and improving overall patient well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effect of patient satisfaction on medication adherence through serial mediation of Self Regulatory Model (SRM) components which are illness perception and beliefs about medicines in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The 222 outpatients (n RA = 112; n AS = 110) were administered a sociodemographic form, the Medication Adherence Report Scale, the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, the Short Assessment of Patient Satisfaction, and the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire. The results showed that SRM components fully mediated the relationship between patient satisfaction and medication adherence. This proposed model had acceptable and better fit indices than the alternative model where patient satisfaction was introduced as a direct predictor. Furthermore, patient satisfaction, illness perception, and beliefs about medicines had an extremely good relationship, so these may be interpreted as variables of a latent construct of the illness experience which deserves further research in these group of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the level of illness perception and medication adherence among adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with a specific focus on understanding how these two factors may be related. Materials and Methods: This descriptive correlation study included all adult patients with T2DM attending the Jeddah Care Centre for Diabetes and Hypertension at King Abdulaziz Hospital between January and April 2022. Data were collected using a questionnaire that elicited sociodemographic and clinical information, and the Arabic versions of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation analysis were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 365 patients were included (mean age: 50.9 ± 15.9 years), with the majority being female (53.4%). Overall, the level of medication adherence was moderate (mean score: 5.36 ± 1.73). Patients with lower medication adherence perceived the consequences of T2DM as more severe, had a stronger association with the illness identity, and experienced more intense emotional responses (for all, P < 0.001). Conversely, patients with higher adherence had a greater sense of personal control, a stronger belief in treatment effectiveness, and a better understanding of the illness (for all, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The study found a correlation between illness perception and medication adherence in patients with T2DM. Addressing patients' perceptions may enhance their ability to manage the condition more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim(s) Design Methods Results Conclusions Impact Reporting Method Patient or Public Contribution To explore the mediating role of coping styles in the association between illness perception and kinesiophobia in atrial fibrillation patients.A cross‐sectional survey.Between June 2021 and November 2022, data were collected using a self‐designed demographic questionnaire, the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia Heart (TSK‐SV Heart) and Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ). The sample comprised 474 atrial fibrillation patients recruited from three hospitals in China. To analyse the data, multiple linear regression models with forced entry were employed, and the mediation Mode 4 of the PROCESS macro in SPSS was implemented.In total, 57.8% of patients exhibited a high level of kinesiophobia. Regression analyses uncovered associations between kinesiophobia and various demographic and disease characteristics, as well as assessments of both illness perception and coping styles. Path analysis results indicated that illness perception reduced kinesiophobia through the mediating effect of confrontation, while avoidance and resignation intensified kinesiophobia. The mediating factor of coping styles explained a significant 53% of the overall effect.Coping styles mediate the relationship between illness perception and kinesiophobia, resulting in a shift in coping styles as illness perception decreases and ultimately leading to reduced kinesiophobia.Coping styles play a mediating role in the relationship between kinesiophobia and illness perception. The results suggest healthcare providers in identifying high‐risk individuals and tailoring interventions to effectively break the vicious cycle of kinesiophobia. Therefore, screening and intervening with patients showcasing heightened illness perception aims to promote a transformation in coping styles, subsequently reducing atrial fibrillation kinesiophobia.The results of the observations were reported in adherence to the STROBE criteria.No patient and public involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objectives Methods Results Conclusions Illness perceptions are an important factor affecting the prognosis of stroke patients. Evaluating the illness perceptions of stroke patients is of great importance for predicting their health behaviour and rehabilitation outcomes. However, there is no specific tool for assessing illness perceptions in stroke patients in China.The objective of this study is to translate the Stroke Illness Perception Questionnaire‐Revised (SIPQ‐R) into Chinese and to psychometrically test the Chinese version of the scale in the population of Chinese stroke patients.This was a methodological study. We investigated 593 stroke patients in the neurology department of a hospital in China from March to September 2021. We translated the SIPQ‐R and adapted it to the cultural context, after which we evaluated the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of SIPQ‐R.Exploratory factor analysis identified eight common factors that accounted for 71.74% of the total variance, and the factor loadings ranged from 0.530 to 0.933. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the eight‐factor structure (χ2/df = 1.765, root mean square error of approximation = 0.053, incremental fit index = 0.906, comparative fit index = 0.905 and Tucker–Lewis index = 0.900). Internal consistency was confirmed by a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.982. The test–retest reliability was 0.762. The results showed good content validity (the scale level content validity index was 0.940, and the item level content validity index values ranged from 0.860 to 0.960). There were no missing responses and floor or ceiling effects. The standard error of measurement and the smallest detectable change for the SIPQ‐R were 45.49 and 126.10, respectively.The results of this study provide empirical evidence for the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the SIPQ‐R for stroke patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Gestational diabetes (GDM) is a prevalent complication in pregnancy that requires effective self-management, which can be influenced by illness perceptions. Moreover, behavioral regulation can be affected by attachment styles. Thus, our study aimed to identify common GDM perception profiles and test their association with attachment styles. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 446 women completed the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ), the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), and additional items about GDM diagnosis, information, competence, adherence, behavioral change. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted to determine GDM perception profiles. Multinomial logistic regression followed to calculate the association between GDM perception profiles and attachment styles. Results: Three distinct profiles emerged: coping (n = 172, 38.6%)—characterized by the most positive GDM perception, burdened (n = 222, 49.8%)—indicating the emotional burden of the disease, and resourceless (n = 52, 11.7%)—reporting lack of resources (i.e. information, competence). Women with insecure attachment styles were more likely to develop a burdened GDM perception profile. Specifically, the expression of a fearful (OR = 1.184 [95%CI: 1.03; 1.36], p = 0.016) and a preoccupied (OR = 1.154 [95%CI: 1.01; 1.32], p = 0.037) attachment style increased the likelihood for a burdened perception profile, while a secure attachment style (OR = 10.791 [95%CI: 0.65; 0.96], p = 0.017) decreased likelihood for developing resourceless GDM perception profile. Conclusions: Three GDM perception profiles were identified and the role of attachment styles in shaping these perceptions was confirmed. Further studies are needed to investigate whether a tailored treatment approach based on the predominant attachment style could lead to more positive GDM perceptions, improved glycemic control, and better perinatal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In England, health care policy promotes specialized age-appropriate cancer services for teenagers and young adults (TYA), for those aged 13–24 years at diagnosis. Specialist Principal Treatment Centers (PTCs) provide enhanced age-specific care for TYA, although many still receive all or some of their care in adult or children's cancer services. Our aim was to determine the patient-reported outcomes associated with TYA-PTC based care. Methods: We conducted a multicenter cohort study, recruiting 1114 TYA aged 13–24 years at diagnosis. Data collection involved a bespoke survey at 6,12,18, 24, and 36 months after diagnosis. Confounder adjusted analyses of perceived social support, illness perception, anxiety and depression, and health status, compared patients receiving NO-TYA-PTC care with those receiving ALL-TYA-PTC and SOME-TYA-PTC care. Results: Eight hundred and thirty completed the first survey. There was no difference in perceived social support, anxiety, or depression between the three categories of care. Significantly higher illness perception was observed in the ALL-TYA-PTC and SOME-TYA-PTC group compared to the NO-TYA-PTC group, (adjusted difference in mean (ADM) score on Brief Illness Perception scale 2.28 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.48–4.09) and 2.93 [1.27–4.59], respectively, p = 0.002). Similarly, health status was significantly better in the NO-TYA-PTC (ALL-TYA-PTC: ADM −0.011 [95%CI −0.046 to 0.024] and SOME-TYA-PTC: −0.054 [−0.086 to −0.023]; p = 0.006). Conclusion: The reason for the difference in perceived health status is unclear. TYA who accessed a TYA-PTC (all or some care) had higher perceived illness. This may reflect greater education and promotion of self-care by health care professionals in TYA units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R) assesses patients' perspectives of their illnesses. Original psychometric testing occurred in limited populations. The purpose of this reliability generalization meta-analysis was to: (1) estimate internal consistency reliability of each IPQ-R subscale, and (2) test moderators of these estimates. Web of Science was searched in July 2022 for articles citing the original IPQ-R paper that reported IPQ-R reliability data. Cronbach's alphas (⍺) were pooled for each IPQ-R subscale using inverse variance weighting and DerSimonian and Laird estimation. Sixty-six studies met criteria. Overall pooled ⍺ estimates were acceptable: 0.71–0.87. Treatment control reliability was reduced among cardiac (⍺ = 0.68), diabetes/kidney disease (⍺ = 0.63), and mixed/other (⍺ = 0.66) samples; cyclical reliability was reduced in cancer (⍺ = 0.65) samples. Age, gender, and race were also significant moderators. Subscale reliability varied based on sample characteristics. Adapting IPQ-R subscales to account for sample variation could improve measurement of illness perception constructs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When newly diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis (IA), acquiring self-management skills is beneficial, to enhance quality of life. The personal beliefs and mental representations patients hold about their illness, known as illness perception, significantly influence the development of these skills. Recognizing characteristics that affect illness perception is key to identifying patients requiring additional support for the development of self-management skills. This study aimed at identifying the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with a negative illness perception. This cross-sectional study was based on survey data from patients diagnosed for ≤ 2 years. The Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ) was used to measure illness perception. After psychometric testing, we divided the B-IPQ into two domains: (1) a control domain and (2) a consequence domain. We performed logistic regression analyses with multiple imputations. A total of 1,360 patients (61% females) were included. Among them, 64%, 20%, and 16% were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), respectively. Younger patients with lower socioeconomic status, a diagnosis of PsA or axSpA, high disease activity (OR 3.026, CI 2.208;4.147), severe physical disability (OR 4.147. CI 2.883;6.007), severe pain (OR 3.034, CI 1.991;4.622), and severe fatigue (OR 2.612, CI 1.942;3.513) were significantly more likely to report having a negative illness perception. Younger patients with a higher symptom burden, increased disease activity, lower socioeconomic status, and a diagnosis of PsA or axSpA may require additional attention and support in rheumatology clinical practice to aid in the development of their self-management skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Illness perception (IP) is an important psychological construct for couples dealing with cancer, which impacts health outcomes and the psychological adjustment to cancer. More research is needed to explore the traits of IP and the efforts of couples coping with cancer. Thus, this study was designed to explore the coping experiences and features of the IPs of couples dealing with cancer. (2) Methods: A total of 24 patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and 20 spousal caregivers (SCs) participated in semi-structured interviews. All interviews were recorded digitally, transcribed, and analyzed by using an inductive thematic analysis. (3) Results: Two themes (individualized and predominant IP; IP sharing and restructuring) were developed. A preliminary framework was formulated to illustrate the relations among subthemes and the relations between themes with an adjustment of a positive IP to CRC. In this framework, based on multiple sources and factors, the natural disparities formed the IPs of the partners of couples and determined the incongruence of IPs. The effects of IP incongruence on lives under the disease guided the three directions of coping approaches (i.e., information and available support, appropriate disclosure and reflection, and leaving the CRC diagnosis behind) which were adopted by couples dealing with CRC to share and restructure the IP with their spouses for effective dyadic coping. (4) Conclusions: This study provides insights to healthcare providers into the experiences of couples dealing with CRC and the development of couple-based IP intervention programs: (a) it initially provides adequate factual knowledge for enhancing beliefs in the ability to control illness, (b) encourages illness-centered conversations and disclosure regarding thoughts and emotions for promoting positive congruence of IP between the partners of couples dealing with a hard dilemma, and (c) guides couples to perceive positive changes and explore the illness's meaning. Understanding each theme of personalized IP and adopting effective IP coping approaches can help guide couples dealing with CRC to efficiently promote constructive IP and better health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective With the increase in the prevalence rate and improvements in the survival of breast cancer patients, there is a growing interest in understanding the level of psychosocial adjustment in these patients. The study aimed to describe the illness perception and psychosocial adjustment levels of both breast cancer patients and their spouses, to use the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) to clarify the actor-partner relationships between spouses, and to explore the impact of illness perception on psychosocial adjustment to the disease within the joint actions of both spouses. Methods A total of 216 female patients with breast cancer and their spouses participated in the study. They were selected from two tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province, China from October 2022 to May 2023 using a convenience sampling method. The participants were assessed using the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale to examine the relationship between illness perception and psychosocial adjustment. AMOS24.0 was used to test and analyze the actor-partner interdependence model. Results The illness perception score (57.75 ± 10.91) was slightly higher than that of the spouse (57.10 ± 11.00), and the psychosocial adjustment score (64.67 ± 6.33) was slightly lower than that of the spouse (64.76 ± 7.49). The results of the actor-partner interdependence model indicated that there was a couple partner between breast cancer patients and their spouses: the spouse’s illness perception significantly affected the patient’s psychosocial adjustment (β = 0.095, p = 0.015); the patient’s illness perception also significantly affected the spouse’s psychosocial adjustment (β = 0.106, p = 0.033). Among them, the patient’s psychosocial adjustment was found to be related to the patient’s illness comprehensibility or coherence of illness (β = 0.433, p = 0.009), the spouse’s emotional illness representation (β = 0.218, p = 0.037), and the spouse’s illness comprehensibility or coherence of illness (β = 0.416, p = 0.007), while the spouse’s psychosocial adjustment was only related to the spouse’s illness comprehensibility or coherence of illness (β = 0.528, p = 0.007). Conclusions The psychosocial adjustment of breast cancer patients is affected by both their own and spouse’s illness perception. Therefore, in the future, the healthcare staff can implement early psychological interventions for patients diagnosed with breast cancer and their spouses as a unit to promote the psychosocial adjustment of them.

Background. Illness representations determine a patient's successful adaptation in the context of chronic somatic illness. Objective. The study had its purpose to investigate and compare the illness representations in the patients with acute leukemia and lymphoma. Study Participants. The study involved 109 respondents: 51 patients with acute leukemia aged 18 to 64 years (Mage = 35.12; SD = 12.90; 28 women) and 58 patients with lymphoma aged 19 to 64 years (Mage = 42.22; SD = 11.17; 41 women). Methods. The study implemented the following methods: “Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised” (IPQ-R), “Health Anxiety Inventory” (HAI), “Cognitions About Body and Health Questionnaire” (CABAH), and the “Scale of Assessment of Illness Behavior” (SAIB). Descriptive statistics and group comparison methods (Student's t-test) were used to process quantitative data. Results. A comparative analysis of the data obtained showed that patients with acute leukemia have more difficulty in identifying the disease, were more certain about the negative impact of the disease and its unstable course, were more likely to overestimate symptom severity, and paid more attention to implementing treatment- and medication-related behaviors compared to patients with lymphomas. Conclusion. The main targets of psychological work with patients with acute leukemia are their ideas about the disease identity, its unstable course and negative consequences, their tendency to overestimate the symptom severity and underestimate the importance of preventive behavior associated with treatment and medication. Common targets of psychological work with patients with acute leukemia and lymphoma are their ideas about the short-term course of the disease and negative emotional experiences about their disease.

Background: The quality of life for people with chronic illnesses like cancer has been shown to be significantly impacted by self-efficacy and perceptions of their illness. Objectives: This study investigates the relationship between cancer patients’ perceptions of their illness, their self-efficacy beliefs, and their quality of life. Method: Conducted from December 2022 to February 2023, this research involved 120 adults undergoing cancer treatment. We utilized the Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ), the Arabic version of the Cancer Behavioral Inventory Brief (CBI-B), and the Arabic EORTC QLQ-C30, alongside clinical data collection. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation and descriptive statistics. Results: Breast cancer emerged as the most common type among participants. A positive correlation was found between self-efficacy and quality of life, as measured by the EORTC QLQ-C30, particularly in relation to symptom management. Interestingly, all dimensions of illness perception correlated with quality of life, except for control and concerns. Conclusions: The findings underscore the vital role of nurses and healthcare providers in aiding cancer patients to develop and utilize self-management strategies effectively. The study reveals that a patient’s capacity to manage their illness is significantly influenced by their confidence, understanding of their condition, and overall quality of life. Addressing these aspects can greatly enhance healthcare professionals’ contribution to improving the resilience and well-being of individuals battling cancer.

Abstract Background Understanding the disease and its acceptance significantly influence adherence to prescribed medications, a critical aspect in managing coronary artery disease (CAD). This study is designed to explore the multifaceted factors influencing medication adherence specifically in CAD patients. Of particular interest is investigating the interconnectedness between medication adherence, the perception of illness, and the level of acceptance of the illness itself among these individuals. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 280 confirmed CAD patients who were selected through a convenience sampling method adhering to predefined inclusion criteria. The study was conducted between March and September 2023. Three primary parameters—medication adherence, illness perception, and acceptance of illness—were evaluated using standardized tools: The Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8, Illness Perception Questionnaire-Brief, and Acceptance of Illness Scale. Statistical analyses using SPSS (version 25) were used to analyze the data. Results Patients had moderate illness perception (51.82 ± 7.58) and low acceptance to illness (16.98 ± 4.75), and 61.8 of them adhered to their medication regimen. A positive relationship between acceptance of illness and medication adherence (r = 0.435, p-value

Objective: With the increase in the prevalence rate and improvements in the survival of breast cancer patients, there is a growing interest in understanding the level of psychosocial adjustment in these patients. The study aimed to describe the illness perception and psychosocial adjustment levels of both breast cancer patients and their spouses, to use the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) to clarify the actor-partner relationships between spouses, and to explore the impact of illness perception on psychosocial adjustment to the disease within the joint actions of both spouses. Methods: A total of 216 female patients with breast cancer and their spouses participated in the study. They were selected from two tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province, China from October 2022 to May 2023 using a convenience sampling method. The participants were assessed using the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale to examine the relationship between illness perception and psychosocial adjustment. AMOS24.0 was used to test and analyze the actor-partner interdependence model. Results: The illness perception score (57.75 ± 10.91) was slightly higher than that of the spouse (57.10 ± 11.00), and the psychosocial adjustment score (64.67 ± 6.33) was slightly lower than that of the spouse (64.76 ± 7.49). The results of the actor-partner interdependence model indicated that there was a couple partner between breast cancer patients and their spouses: the spouse's illness perception significantly affected the patient's psychosocial adjustment (β = 0.095, p = 0.015); the patient's illness perception also significantly affected the spouse's psychosocial adjustment (β = 0.106, p = 0.033). Among them, the patient's psychosocial adjustment was found to be related to the patient's illness comprehensibility or coherence of illness (β = 0.433, p = 0.009), the spouse's emotional illness representation (β = 0.218, p = 0.037), and the spouse's illness comprehensibility or coherence of illness (β = 0.416, p = 0.007), while the spouse's psychosocial adjustment was only related to the spouse's illness comprehensibility or coherence of illness (β = 0.528, p = 0.007). Conclusions: The psychosocial adjustment of breast cancer patients is affected by both their own and spouse's illness perception. Therefore, in the future, the healthcare staff can implement early psychological interventions for patients diagnosed with breast cancer and their spouses as a unit to promote the psychosocial adjustment of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypertension is increasingly prevalent among young and middleaged populations in rural China, accompanied by suboptimal self-management. Given that this population forms the backbone of the labor force, enhancing their self-management capabilities is crucial for improving overall population health. Studies indicate that individuals with good health literacy are more likely to effectively manage their health. Methods: Grounded in the health literacy skills framework, a model was constructed in this study to examine the impact of health literacy on selfmanagement among young and middle-aged hypertensive patients in rural China. Meanwhile, the mediating roles of illness perception and self-efficacy were also verified. Using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method, 338 patients were recruited to participate in the study. Structural equation modeling was utilized to establish the relationship model, and bootstrap tests were carried out to examine the mediating effects. Results: The average self-management score was 70.45 ± 11.36. Health literacy exhibited a positive correlation with self-management (standardized β = 0.372, p < 0.001). The mediating effects through illness perception and selfefficacy were 0.040 and 0.236, constituting 6.68 and 39.31% of the total effect, respectively. Conclusion: Illness perception and self-efficacy serve as parallel mediators amid the association between health literacy and self-management. Implementing psychological counseling and health education is imperative for augmenting self-management competence and cultivating an adaptive coping mentality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Background Design Methods Results Conclusions Relevance to clinical practice To investigate the relationships between parental resilience, illness perception and pain catastrophizing as factors affecting caregiver burden among parents of children with cancer, based on the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping.Parents, as the primary caregivers of children with cancer, often face universal challenges. These include adverse health impacts, work, financial disruptions, strained social and family relationships, and the need for specialised support and intervention.A cross‐sectional design using path analysis.The STROBE guidelines for cross‐sectional studies were followed. An online questionnaire was distributed through Facebook pages operated by various organisations that support parents of children with cancer, such as ‘The Israel Cancer Association’, ‘Giving Hope’ and ‘Hayim Association’ from October 2021 to February 2022. The participants completed a questionnaire about demographic and child‐related characteristics, resilience, illness perception, pain catastrophizing, social support and caregiver burden. Associations between the variables were explored using Pearson's correlations and path analyses.The study included 67 parents of children with cancer with an average age of 41.79 (SD = 6.31). The majority were mothers (n = 54, 80.6%) with a steady partner (n = 62, 92.5%). The level of caregiver burden was M (SD) = 25.00 (7.15) out of 48 possible, indicating a high burden level. Illness perception was directly positively associated with caregiver burden (β = .280, p = .017) and pain catastrophizing (β = .340, p < .01), and directly negatively with resilience (β = −.318, p < .01). Illness perception and pain catastrophizing serially mediated the relationship between resilience and caregiver burden among parents of children with cancer (β = −.190, p = .001).This study found that both illness perception and pain catastrophizing serially mediated the relationship between personal resilience and caregiver burden.To ease caregiver burden for parents of children with cancer, programmes should address their psychological and emotional needs, including managing perceptions of illness and coping with pain‐related distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Design Methods Results Conclusion Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care Patient or Public Contribution This study aimed to explore the mediating effect of self‐management (SM) on the relationship between illness perception and quality of life (QOL) among Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐positive men who have sex with men (MSM).A cross‐sectional study.We explored the effect of illness perception and self‐management on QOL using the multiple regression model. Moreover, we conducted a simple mediation analysis to examine the role of SM in the relationship between illness perception and QOL. In addition, a parallel mediation analysis was performed to investigate the differences in domains of SM on the relationship between illness perception and QOL.Among 300 Chinese HIV‐positive MSM, the mean score of SM was 39.9 ± 6.97, with a range of 14.0–54.0. The higher score in SM indicated a higher level of HIV SM. SM was negatively related to illness perception (r = −0.47) while positively related to QOL (r = 0.56). SM partially mediated the relationship between illness perception and QOL, accounting for 25.3% of the total effect. Specifically, both daily self‐management health practices and the chronic nature of the self‐management domain played a parallel role in mediating the relationship between illness perception and QOL.Our study demonstrated that SM was a significant factor influencing QOL among HIV‐positive MSM. Focusing on daily self‐management health practices and the chronic nature of self‐management could be the potential key targets for enhancing HIV self‐management strategies.This study emphasized the role of SM in the well‐being of HIV‐positive MSM and underscored the importance of developing interventions that integrate SM strategies to improve QOL in this population.No patient or public contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Lung cancer is a malignancy of high incidence rate and mortality in China. The fear of relapse can affect the patient's treatment compliance and reduce their quality of life. There have been previous studies on the relationship between fear of lung cancer relapse and disease perception, as well as disease perception and psychological flexibility. However, current research on the status quo of fear of lung cancer relapse and its correlation with illness perception and psychological flexibility is limited. Objective To explore the fear of cancer relapse and its relations with illness perception and psychological flexibility in patients with lung cancer, and to provide references for subsequent related clinical interventions. Methods A total of 96 patients were selected as the research subjects, who were pathologically diagnosed with lung cancer and admitted to Fuyang People's Hospital from January 2021 to July 2022. Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF), Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Ⅱ (AAQ-Ⅱ) were used for evaluation. Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation between scores of various scales, and multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of relapse fear in lung cancer patients. Results The total FoP-Q-SF score of lung cancer patients was (35. 35±7. 66) and a total of 65 cases (67. 71%) had a FoP-Q-SF score≥34. As relevant analyses showed, the BIPQ total score of lung cancer patients was positively correlated with the total score, social family dimension score and physiological health dimension score of Fop-Q-SF (r= 0. 586, 0. 445, 0. 475, P<0. 05), the AAQ-Ⅱ score was positively correlated with the total score, social family dimension score and physiological health dimension score of FoP-Q-SF (r=0. 485, 0. 652, 0. 513, P<0. 05). According to the results of single factor analysis and multiple linear regression analysis, age (β =-0. 142, P<0. 01), education level (β =-0. 254, P<0. 01), monthly household income (β =-0. 527, P<0. 01), illness perception (β =0. 847, P<0. 01) and psychological flexibility (β =0. 781, P< 0. 01) are all factors influencing the fear of relapse in lung cancer patients. Conclusion Most lung cancer patients have a fear of recurrence. It is not only related to illness perception and psychological flexibility, but also influenced by factors including age, education level and monthly family income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most people had a perception of COVID-19 as an illness throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and this inevitably resulted in developing psychological symptoms which in the end yielded to lower levels of well-being. These experiences affected the people who were in a relationship during the pandemic, hence the quality of their relationship was influenced by all these individual feelings. Regarding this context, the current study aimed to explore the mediation role of perceived symptom change in the association between well-being and COVID-19 perceptions, controlling for the effect of relationship quality. To achieve this goal, 174 (N = 124 women, N = 49 men) participants were recruited. Results of the study put forth that (1) there was a positive association between COVID-19 illness perception and symptom change, (2) there was a negative association between perceived symptom change and well-being, (3) there was a negative association between COVID-19 illness perception and well-being, (4) relationship quality was positively associated with well-being, and (5) the symptom change mediated the association between COVID-19 illness perception and well-being in the case relationship quality was considered as a covariate. Limitations and recommendations for further research are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]