General and Illness-specific Predictors of Adaptation to Chronic Illnesses: Cognitive Appraisals and Illness-related Beliefs

Abstract

Background The literature indicates that cognitive appraisals and illness-related beliefs are the key cognitive factors that affect the outcomes of psychological adaptation to chronic illnesses. The main aim of the study was to identify which cognitive appraisals and illness-related beliefs are the best predictors of adaptation to living with chronic illnesses as well as which of these predictors are universal and which are illness-specific. Methods This study analyzed data collected online from 505 participants who reported diagnoses of rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, hypothyroidism, diabetes, and hypertension. Results Adaptation indicators (i.e., depressive symptoms and level of acceptance of living with the disease) differed significantly across samples with different medical diagnoses. Additionally, illness-related cognitive appraisals but not illness-related beliefs made a statistically significant specific contribution to explaining the variance in adaptation indices. Conclusions The predictors of adaptation to living with the disease differ between the diagnoses and the adjustment indicators. The results can contribute to a better matching of therapeutic interventions as well as social campaigns aimed at the ill people.