Symptom characteristics, perceived causal attributions, and contextual factors influencing self-care behaviors: An ecological daily assessment study of adults with chronic illness

Barbara Riegel, Shayleigh Dickson Page, Subhash Aryal, Christopher S. Lee, Andrew Belfiglio, Kenneth E. Freedland, Anna Stromberg, Ercole Vellone, Heleen Westland, Michelle M. van Rijn, Sara Pettersson, Douglas J. Wiebe, Tiny Jaarsma

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: Insights into how symptoms influence self-care can guide patient education and improve symptom control. This study examined symptom characteristics, causal attributions, and contextual factors influencing self-care of adults with arthritis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, or heart failure. Methods: Adults (n = 81) with a symptomatic chronic illness participated in a longitudinal observational study. Using Ecological Daily Assessment, participants described one symptom twice daily for two weeks, rating its frequency, severity, bothersomeness, duration, causes, and self-care. Results: The most frequent symptoms were fatigue and shortness of breath. Pain, fatigue, and joint stiffness were the most severe and bothersome. Most participants engaged in active self-care, but those with fatigue and pain engaged in passive self-care (i.e., rest or do nothing), especially when symptoms were infrequent, mild, somewhat bothersome, and fleeting. In people using passive self-care, thoughts, feelings, and the desire to conceal symptoms from others interfered with self-care. Conclusion: Most adults with a chronic illness take an active role in managing their symptoms but some conceal or ignore symptoms until the frequency, severity, bothersomeness, or duration increases. Practice implications: When patients report symptoms, asking about self-care behaviors may reveal inaction or ineffective approaches. A discussion of active self-care options may improve symptom control.

Original languageEnglish
Article number108227
JournalPatient Education and Counseling
Volume123
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2024

Keywords

  • Chronic illness
  • Ecological daily assessment
  • Self-care
  • Self-management
  • Signs and symptoms

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Symptom characteristics, perceived causal attributions, and contextual factors influencing self-care behaviors: An ecological daily assessment study of adults with chronic illness'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this