Illness Behavior and Sick Role Quiz

Illness Behaviour

• Factors influencing illness behaviour:
  • Age
  • Sex
  • Socioeconomic status
  • Religion
  • Ethnic group
  • Psychologic stability
  • Personality
  • Education
  • Modes of coping

Sick Role

• Four aspects of the sick role:
  • Clients are not responsible for their condition.
  • Clients are excused from certain roles and tasks.
  • Clients are obliged to try to get well as quickly as possible.
  • Clients and families are obliged to seek competent help.

Illness and Disease

• Stage 1: Symptom Experiences:

  • Physical experience of symptoms: The individual experiences the physical symptoms of illness.
  • Cognitive aspect: The individual interprets the symptoms based on their understanding and experiences.
  • Emotional response: The individual experiences emotions such as fear or anxiety related to their symptoms.

• Stage 2: Assumption of the Sick Role:

  • The individual accepts the sick role and seeks confirmation from family and friends.

• Stage 3: Medical Care Contact:

  • Seeking advice from a health professional, either independently or encouraged by others.
  • Seeking answers to three key questions when seeking professional advice:
    • Validation of real illness: Confirmation that the symptoms are real and represent an illness.
    • Explanation of symptoms: Understanding the cause and nature of the symptoms in comprehensible terms.
    • Reassurance or prediction: Gaining comfort and understanding about the potential outcome of the illness.

• Stage 4: Dependent Client Role:

  • The individual becomes dependent on the professional for help and treatment.

• Stage 5: Recovery or Rehabilitation:

  • The individual strives to relinquish the dependent role and resume their previous roles and responsibilities.

Effects of Illness

• Impact on the Client:

  • Illness and hospitalization disrupt the client's life in various ways: privacy, autonomy, lifestyle, roles, and finances.

• Impact on the Family:

  • Illness of one family member affects all other members, requiring nurses to be aware of potential family implications.

Explore the intricacies of illness behavior and the sick role through this quiz. Delve into factors that influence how individuals experience and interpret illness, and understand the social obligations that accompany being unwell. Test your knowledge on these critical concepts in health psychology.