Examination of Health Adherence Behaviors and Cognitive Distortions in Patients with Chronic Illness
Date of Submission
2008
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
Department
Psychology
Department Chair
Robert A. DiTomasso, Ph.D., ABPP
First Advisor
Barbara Golden, Psy.D., ABPP, Chairperson
Second Advisor
Robert A. DiTomasso, Ph.D., ABPP
Third Advisor
John P. Simelaro, D.O.
Abstract
The relationship between health adherence behaviors and cognitive distortions among patients with chronic illness were investigated. One-hundred eleven participants from two outpatient medical clinics were administered the Health Adherence Behavior Inventory (HABIT) and the Inventory for Cognitive Distortions (lCD), and the Health Adherence Behavior Survey was utilized to obtain demographic information. Results indicated participants who had a thinking style characterized by the use of cognitive distortions tended to engage in fewer health promoting behaviors. This finding was consistent with the predicted hypothesis. In fact, a significant correlation at the .05 level of -.173 was found between the ICD and the HABIT. These findings suggest that cognitive theory may have utility in understanding and improving health adherence. These findings have implications for primary care, as health care providers will be better able to manage and understand factors related to nonadherence, opening the door for collaboration among medical and mental health care providers.
Recommended Citation
Stankiewicz, Clint C., "Examination of Health Adherence Behaviors and Cognitive Distortions in Patients with Chronic Illness " (2008). PCOM Psychology Dissertations. 131.
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/psychology_dissertations/131