This study is the first to examine cognitive representations of illness in Thai women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. The specific aim of the study was to examine the structure and content of cognitive representations of illness of Thai women with breast cancer. According to Leventhal’s self-regulatory model, an individual’s responses to illness are based upon cognitive representations of illness consisting of five components: identity, causes, time-line, consequences, and cure/controllability. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 45 Thai women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Participants were assessed after primary surgery and before chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Study instruments included the Conceptual Content Cognitive Map (3CM) Method, an open-ended interview technique designed to assess an individual's cognitive representations and the established Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ). Data from the 3CM and the IPQ were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics, respectively. Findings from the 3CM partially supported the theoretical structure of cognitive representation of illness. Participants made no statements related to the illness time-line. Three additional categories: emotion, coping, and social support emerged. Patients freely expressed thoughts about: coping strategies such as modifying diet and employing Buddha’s doctrine; negative consequences; attributions to causes such as diet, Karma; perceptions of less cure/controllability; emotions such as fear, and support from family and friends. Findings from the IPQ revealed that patients perceived moderate frequency of symptoms associated with the illness; moderately chronic time-line; negative consequences; more cure/controllability; and various causes of the illness. The findings from the 3CM method and the IPQ provided similarities and differences. The 3CM method particularly provided an enriched understanding of cognitive representations of breast cancer in Thai women, who have a uniquely different culture from women in Western countries. Such information can be used to help nurses provide tailored and effective interventions specifically for Thai women with breast cancer.
Session #1209 - Cultural Meaning & Health & Illness
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)