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Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings

Published in:

01-12-2018

Illness Identity in Adults with a Chronic Illness

Authors: Leen Oris, Koen Luyckx, Jessica Rassart, Liesbet Goubert, Eva Goossens, Silke Apers, Seher Arat, Joris Vandenberghe, René Westhovens, Philip Moons

Published in: Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings | Issue 4/2018

Abstract

The present study examines the concept of illness identity, the degree to which a chronic illness is integrated into one’s identity, in adults with a chronic illness by validating a new self-report questionnaire, the Illness Identity Questionnaire (IIQ). Self-report questionnaires on illness identity, psychological, and physical functioning were assessed in two samples: adults with congenital heart disease (22–78 year old; n = 276) and with multisystem connective tissue disorders (systemic lupus erythematosus or systemic sclerosis; 17–81 year old; n = 241). The IIQ could differentiate four illness identity states (i.e., engulfment, rejection, acceptance, and enrichment) in both samples, based on exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. All four subscales proved to be reliable. Rejection and engulfment were related to maladaptive psychological and physical functioning, whereas acceptance and enrichment were related to adaptive psychological and physical functioning. The present findings underscore the importance of the concept of illness identity. The IIQ, a self-report questionnaire, is introduced to measure four different illness identity states in adults with a chronic illness.

Additionally, CFA was conducted in sample 1 (CHD) and full measurement invariance (i.e., configural, metric, and scalar invariance) could be established across both patient samples. This means that the IIQ measures the same concept(s) across both samples (Vandenberg & Lance, 2000), which is necessary to compare mean scores and correlations with psychological and physical functioning across groups. For more information about the analyses of the measurement invariance, readers can contact the corresponding author.

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Title: Illness Identity in Adults with a Chronic Illness
Authors: Leen Oris
Koen Luyckx
Jessica Rassart
Liesbet Goubert
Eva Goossens
Silke Apers
Seher Arat
Joris Vandenberghe
René Westhovens
Philip Moons
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings / Issue 4/2018
Print ISSN: 1068-9583
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3572
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-018-9552-0

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Illness Identity in Adults with a Chronic Illness

Abstract

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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