Illness Perception and Ability for Physical Activity among Patients with Chronic Diseases

Illness perception refers to patient’evaluation for his/her life with disease. According to the self-regulatory model (Leventhal, Brissette & Leventhal, 2003) the illness perception is subjective and is created by cognitive and emotional components. The unique combination between different parts of illness perception for every patient can predict the patient’s health behaviour including motivation and performing physical activity. The PURPOSE of this study is to examine the main predictors of illness perception and to evaluate the significance of ability for physical activity for construction of illness perceptions. METHODOLOGY: 237 patients with rheumatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, hypertension and diabetes mellitus type 2 have been examined. Optimism and Negative expectancies Inventory (Velitchkov et al., 1993), Multidimensional Health Locus of control Scales (form C) (Wallston et al., 1994), Self Efficacy Chronic Disease Scales (Lorig, et al., 1996), Brief Illness perception Questionnaire (Broadbent, et al., 2006). OWN CONTRIBUTION AND RESULTS: The results of investigation supports the idea that the patients perception of illness controllability depends of health locus of control beliefs and self-efficacy for managing chronic illness. The most important are beliefs that illness depends on patients themselves and their confidence that they have ability at ones disposal to cope with everyday functioning and communicate with doctors. CONCLUSIONS: Self-efficacy for symptom management, Self-efficacy for physical activity and negative expectations are significant and strong predictors of illness perception among patients with chronic diseases and pain.