Year
2021
Season
Summer
Paper Type
Master's Thesis
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Psychology
NACO controlled Corporate Body
University of North Florida. Department of Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Lori Lange
Second Advisor
Dr. Francis (Dan) Richard
Abstract
The self-regulation theory of illness representations (Leventhal et al., 2003) and the hopelessness theory of depression (Abramson et al., 1989) were used to observe how hopeless illness representations, depression, and coping styles interact. 238 participants with a chronic illness lasting three months or more were observed through the VOICE (Verification of Illness and Coping Experience) survey. Mediation was used to analyze the relationship between hopeless illness representations and depression, with passive coping as the mediator. All regressions in the mediation analysis were significant, and partial mediation was found. Patients with hopeless illness representations were more likely to use passive coping and have depression. Moreover, passive coping correlated with depression and increased the relationship between hopeless illness representations and depression. These findings add evidence to the need for patients being treated for a chronic illness to also be tested and, if required, treated for depression as part of their specialty care.
Suggested Citation
Arnold, Dana, "A Hopeless Illness Representation Style: Examining Chronic Illness and Depression with Coping as A Mediator" (2021). UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 1091.
https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/1091