Perceived Severity of Chronic Illness Diagnosis and Psychological Well-being: Exploring the Multiplicity and Dimensions of Perceived Identity Change

ABSTRACT

In this study, we explore the role of perceived identity change as it relates to chronic illness and psychological well-being. Individuals with chronic illnesses (N = 345, M_age = 34.08, SD = 11.23) completed a questionnaire assessing their diagnosis, perceived identity change, and psychological well-being. Results demonstrated significant differences within identity aspects (i.e., personal, social, relational, and performative) for both the amount (i.e., how much) and affect (i.e., positive or negative) of perceived identity change. Further, the perceived amount of specific identity change in only the relational aspect mediated the relationship between perceived severity of chronic illness diagnosis and psychological well-being. However, collective perceived amount of identity change (i.e., average scores on all four amount identity aspects) also mediated the relationship between perceived severity of chronic illness diagnosis and psychological well-being. Results from a conditional process model indicated that as perceived affective change in the relational layer becomes more neutral, the significant negative indirect effect of perceived severity of chronic illness diagnosis on psychological well-being via perceived amount of identity change in the relational aspect is strengthened. Thus, researchers and practitioners should account for the nuances of identity to better attend to the psychological needs of individuals living with a chronic illness.

KEYWORDS:

• Identity
• identity change
• chronic illness
• psychological well-being

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data Availability Statement

Due to the nature of this research, participants of this study did not agree for their data to be shared publicly, so supporting data is not available.

Notes

1. Whereas communication theory of identity (see Hecht, 2015 for overview) suggests similar aspects of identity as presented in the study, the theory posits that personal identity includes both the individual and social identity. Given the goals of the current inquiry and other guiding theoretical frameworks, our approach investigates these as individual components of one’s identity. Implications and connections to the theory in the discussion.

2. To assess each identity, participants were asked “how much do you believe you have changed as a person since your diagnosis?” (personal identity), “how much have you changed in terms of the different groups of people you now associate or identify with since your diagnosis?” (social identity),“how much do you believe you have changed who you are in your relationships since your diagnosis?” (relational identity), and “how much do you believe you have changed in how you act or communicate with others since your diagnosis?” (performative identity).