The association between discrepancy in illness representations on distress in stroke patients and carers

Caregivers' Illness Perceptions Contribute to Quality of Life in Head and Neck Cancer Patients at Diagnosis

“…In other types of cancer, research has shown that when caregivers perceive the cancer to be more serious they are more likely to be anxious or depressed (Compas et al, 1994), report more illness-related demands and concerns (Lewis, Woods, Hough, & Bensley, 1989), feel more uncertain or hopeless (Keitel, Cramer, & Zevon, 1990;Northouse et al, 2002), and consider treatments to be stressful (Keitel et al, 1990). There is also evidence to suggest that caregivers have more negative illness perceptions than the patients they are caring for (Hews, de Ridder, & Bensing, 1999;Kaptein et al, 2007;Karademas, Zarogiannos, & Karamvakalis, 2010;Twiddy, House, & Jones, 2012). The illness perceptions of caregivers can significantly affect patient illness perceptions, coping, psychological wellbeing and physical functioning (Hews et al, 1999;Kaptein et al, 2007;Sterba et al, 2008;Twiddy et al, 2012).…”

“…There is also evidence to suggest that caregivers have more negative illness perceptions than the patients they are caring for (Hews, de Ridder, & Bensing, 1999;Kaptein et al, 2007;Karademas, Zarogiannos, & Karamvakalis, 2010;Twiddy, House, & Jones, 2012). The illness perceptions of caregivers can significantly affect patient illness perceptions, coping, psychological wellbeing and physical functioning (Hews et al, 1999;Kaptein et al, 2007;Sterba et al, 2008;Twiddy et al, 2012).…”

Physical Illness in Gay, Lesbian, and Heterosexual Marriages

“…These co-constructions have implications for both spouses as well as the marital relationship. For example, heterosexual spouses who are more concordant in their assessment of the seriousness of an illness have higher quality of life and less distress than couples who are more discordant in these constructions (Merz et al 2011; Twiddy, House, and Jones 2012). Yet, the studies that consider illness constructions have focused on heterosexual marriage and rarely direct explicit attention to gendered patterns.…”

Awareness of psychological and relationship problems amongst brain tumour patients and its association with carer distress

“…In keeping with the previous literature investigating brain injury , stroke and Alzheimer's disease patients, it is predicted that brain tumour patients will underestimate their psychological problems and the negative impact of any changes occurring since surgery/diagnosis when compared with their carer. Comparing patient's ratings/judgements to those of a relative/carer/clinician to examine patient awareness is a widely accepted method used in similar studies with brain injury , stroke and Alzheimer's disease populations. On the basis of this literature, this study also makes the assumption that the carer's judgements of the patient's impairments are more accurate than those of the patient.…”

“…, Twiddy et al . and DeBettignies et al . , it is also hypothesised that greater underestimation of impairment by brain tumour patients will be correlated with increased anxiety and depression amongst their carers.…”