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01-10-2006 | Original Paper

Illness Representations, Self-Regulation, and Genetic Counseling: A Theoretical Review

Author: Shoshana Shiloh

Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling | Issue 5/2006

Abstract

In this article the Self Regulatory Theory (Leventhal, 1970; Leventhan H., Benyamini, Brownlee, Diefenbach, Leventhal E.A., Patrick-Miller, & Robitaille, 1997) is presented as a framework for conceptualizing genetic counseling. Findings published in the genetic counseling literature are re-interpreted from the perspective of the theory. Clients are seen as active information processors rather than passive receivers of information. Research related to clients’ representations of genetic causality of disease and specific genetic conditions is reviewed. Associations of genetic illness representations to self representations, coping and health behaviors are examined, and suggestions are made for applications of the theory in research and clinical practice.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease in which a defective gene causes the body to produce abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and obstruct the pancreas, leading to life threatening lung infections and digestive problems.

Apolipoprotein E gene (APOE). The inheritance of the epsilon 4 allele of the APOE gene is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.

Engagement is defined as the degree of cognitive and emotional involvement with one's increased risk of developing cancer as a result of one's family history (McAllister, 2003).

Approximately 5% of colorectal cancers can be attributed to hereditary alterations in one of several genes, and an additional 10% to 15% may be due to inherited susceptibility to unidentified hereditary gene alterations.

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Title: Illness Representations, Self-Regulation, and Genetic Counseling: A Theoretical Review
Author: Shoshana Shiloh
Publication date: 01-10-2006
Publisher: Kluwer Academic Publishers-Plenum Publishers
Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling / Issue 5/2006
Print ISSN: 1059-7700
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3599
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-006-9044-5

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Illness Representations, Self-Regulation, and Genetic Counseling: A Theoretical Review

Abstract

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