The psychological impacts of living with cystic fibrosis
Introduction
A prevalent and life-threatening disease, cystic fibrosis (CF) can cause infections, lung damage, and respiratory failure via increasing the production of thickened secretions in the body’s organs (Abbott, Hart, Morton, Gee, & Conway, 2008). However, with the development of new treatments, the lifespan of individuals with CF have significantly improved. Unfortunately, these advancements have resulted in arduous treatments that make adherence difficult (Riekert, Eakin, Bilderback, Ridge, & Marshall, 2015). This essay will discuss the coping mechanisms used to handle the challenges of living with CF, and the factors influencing treatment adherence. Furthermore, the relevance of understanding psychological responses …show more content…
Therefore, it is important that they have coping mechanisms that can aid them with dealing with these demands. Coping mechanisms refer to the behavioural and cognitive strategies that individuals use to manage internal and environmental demands to preserve their well-being (Grieve et al., 2011). Optimistic acceptance and resilience are internal coping resources used by families effected by CF (Barkway, 2013). Optimistic acceptance is a cognitive, problem-focused approach wherein individuals accept their condition while maintaining a positive outlook, and reassess their circumstances to find a hopeful aspect. It can reduce distress and depression among patients with CF via acting as a buffer to illness-associated stressors (i.e. stigma), which may ultimately improve their quality of life (QoL) (Oliver et al., 2014). Moreover, it can motivate them to engage in self-care behaviours and enhance treatment adherence (Abbott et al., 2008). Parents of children with CF often combine optimistic acceptance with social support, positive reframing, and knowledge of the medical aspects of CF to cope. These mechanisms strengthen emotional family bonding (family cohesiveness) by
Introduction
A prevalent and life-threatening disease, cystic fibrosis (CF) can cause infections, lung damage, and respiratory failure via increasing the production of thickened secretions in the body’s organs (Abbott, Hart, Morton, Gee, & Conway, 2008). However, with the development of new treatments, the lifespan of individuals with CF have significantly improved. Unfortunately, these advancements have resulted in arduous treatments that make adherence difficult (Riekert, Eakin, Bilderback, Ridge, & Marshall, 2015). This essay will discuss the coping mechanisms used to handle the challenges of living with CF, and the factors influencing treatment adherence. Furthermore, the relevance of understanding psychological responses …show more content…
Therefore, it is important that they have coping mechanisms that can aid them with dealing with these demands. Coping mechanisms refer to the behavioural and cognitive strategies that individuals use to manage internal and environmental demands to preserve their well-being (Grieve et al., 2011). Optimistic acceptance and resilience are internal coping resources used by families effected by CF (Barkway, 2013). Optimistic acceptance is a cognitive, problem-focused approach wherein individuals accept their condition while maintaining a positive outlook, and reassess their circumstances to find a hopeful aspect. It can reduce distress and depression among patients with CF via acting as a buffer to illness-associated stressors (i.e. stigma), which may ultimately improve their quality of life (QoL) (Oliver et al., 2014). Moreover, it can motivate them to engage in self-care behaviours and enhance treatment adherence (Abbott et al., 2008). Parents of children with CF often combine optimistic acceptance with social support, positive reframing, and knowledge of the medical aspects of CF to cope. These mechanisms strengthen emotional family bonding (family cohesiveness) by