Investigating self-compassion and meaning in life as facilitators of chronic disease management
Date
2019
Authors
O'Donnell, Maeve Bronwyn, author
Steger, Michael F., advisor
Conner, Bradley T., committee member
Graham, Daniel J., committee member
Shomaker, Lauren B., committee member
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Abstract
Chronic disease is pervasive in the United States, has a negative impact on health, and is expensive to treat. Much research has been performed to identify barriers to successful chronic disease management, yet research has lagged significantly in investigating overarching salutogenic factors that may support multidimensional behavioral engagement in management of one's health when faced with chronic disease. Both experiencing life as meaningful and acting with compassion toward oneself have been linked to attitudinal, motivational, and support-seeking aspects of health management. In the current study, it was hypothesized that self-compassion and meaning in life would predict better chronic disease management for patients in four disease groups (Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, Migraines and Asthma) through a proactive orientation to health, increased self-efficacy, and increased social support. Path analyses were conducted using Mplus 7.4 (Muthén & Muthén, 1998–2012). In the path analysis, there were no direct relationships observed among self-compassion and health attitudes, social support, and self-efficacy. Direct relationships were observed between meaning in life and the proposed mediators. An indirect relationship was observed, such that meaning in life and better chronic disease self-management were related via improved disease-related self-efficacy. This finding held both in the cross-sectional data and when chronic disease management was measured three months after initial data collection. Results from this study have important implications for the role of meaning and meaning-supporting interventions in chronic disease management.
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Subject
chronic disease
positive psychology
behavioral health
self-compassion
meaning in life