The self-regulatory model of illness and adjustment outcomes in Hepatitis C

This study investigates the ability of illness perceptions and coping strategies, primary features of the self-regulatory model of illness (SRM), which has been utilized in several related chronic disease studies to predict adjustment outcomes among individuals diagnosed with hepatitis C (HCV; Hagger & Orbell, 2003; Leventhal, Diefenbach, & Leventhal, 1992). The study utilized the 8-component Brief Illness Perceptions Questionnaire (BIPQ) and the brief COPE as a measure of coping strategies (Broadbent, Petrie, Main, & Weinman, 2006; Carver, Scheier, & Weintraub, 1989). Individuals diagnosed with HCV (n = 126) completed online questionnaires assessing illness perceptions, coping strategies, and 3 adjustment outcomes (depression, physical health, and life satisfaction). Hierarchical multiple regressions indicated that illness perceptions and coping strategies predicted adjustment across the depression, physical health, and life satisfaction criterion variables. Illness identity accounted for significant variance across depression and physical health outcomes. Personal control made significant contributions to predicting depression, physical health, and life satisfaction outcomes. Illness coherence and emotional responses to HCV predicted depression outcomes, whereas illness timeline accounted for variance in life satisfaction. Maladaptive coping made significant contributions to predicting depression and life satisfaction outcomes. Adaptive coping predicted significant variance in life satisfaction. Results provide support for the inclusion of the SRM within therapeutic models for individuals presenting with HCV.