Role of causal and recovery beliefs in the psychological adjustment to a chronic disease

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to establish linkages of beliefs about the factors responsible for the disease (causal beliefs) and for recovery from the disease (recovery beliefs) with perceived control and psychological adjustment to a chronic disease. Seventy hospitalized male, Hindu, chest tuberculosis patients were interviewed. The mean ratings on causal factors (God's will and Karma) and on recovery factors (doctor and God) were found to be high. In general, attribution to external causes (other's carelessness and family conditions) and beliefs in cosmic recovery factors (God and fate) had negative correlations with the psychological adjustment. Again, perceived control over the disease was linked with better adjustment. A cultural difference hypothesis was proposed to explain coping with a chronic disease.

Key Words:

• Tuberculosis
• Psychological adjustment
• Beliefs
• Attributions
• Health
• Perceived control.