Attitudes Toward Illness

Attitudes toward illness encompass the beliefs, emotions, and responses individuals have when confronted with health issues. These attitudes can significantly influence how people perceive their symptoms, seek treatment, and cope with their conditions. Cultural background, personal experiences, and social context play crucial roles in shaping these attitudes, leading to a diverse range of responses across different populations. For instance, some individuals may view illness as a personal failure, while others might see it as a natural part of life or a spiritual test.

Additionally, societal norms and healthcare access can impact how one communicates their illness, as well as the support they receive from family and friends. Understanding these attitudes is vital for healthcare providers, as they can affect patient engagement and adherence to treatment plans. Recognizing that each person's relationship with illness is unique can foster a more empathetic and effective approach to care. Overall, exploring attitudes toward illness can illuminate the complexities of human health experiences and enhance the quality of healthcare delivery.

Published in: 2021

By: Trudy Mercadal, PhD

Subject Terms

Attitudes Toward Illness

Last reviewed: February 2017

Abstract

Long-term diseases pose a major challenge to individuals, their caretakers, and their families. Their experience is compounded by prevalent social attitudes towards illness and health. While positive attitudes toward illness have been shown to generate beneficial outcomes, many societies stigmatize certain illnesses. Effective strategies exist that enable patients and caretakers to develop positive attitudes toward illness and its management. It is of crucial importance, however, to work towards changing social perceptions about disease, with the purpose of fostering positive attitudes that better help patients and their caretakers to cope.

Overview

Attitude can impact every aspect of daily life, including health. In this sense, the term “positive” relates to developing and maintaining an optimistic outlook and engaging in constructive action. Individuals who face life’s challenges with a positive attitude, according to experts, are better equipped to move forward than those who maintain a negative outlook. Although much of a person’s attitude is related to inherent psychological characteristics, maintaining a positive attitude is a skill that can be learned. Setbacks in life are part and parcel of most human activities, yet numerous studies indicate that individuals who develop an optimistic outlook are healthier both physiologically and psychologically (Chithra, Vijayakumar & Vijayabanu, 2014).

Besides optimism, there are other states of mind related to maintaining a positive attitude. Among the most important of these is hope. Hope relates directly to having the energy to plan for and meet goals, with the expectation that these have a reasonable chance of occurring. Illness is a natural phenomenon affecting all living beings. Despite the advances of science and medicine, most human beings will be faced with illness at some point in life, be it temporal, chronic or terminal. The attitude that a person has in the face of illness can either help or hinder the way in which illness is accepted and dealt with. A positive attitude generally focuses on illness as a normal part of life and adapts to it by way of reasonable optimism and hope. A negative attitude, on the other hand, predisposes an individual to feelings of anxiety and dread that may affect adversely, both physically and mentally.

Most experts believe that facing illness with a negative attitude is unhealthy. There are two ways of dealing with illness that result in unhealthy behavior: becoming overwhelmed by it or else, ignoring it. Although being diagnosed with a disease, no matter how serious, is usually not a sentence of death, treating it as a fatality results in unhealthy behaviors. Other unhealthy behaviors include exaggerating the symptoms or effects of an illness in order to generate attention and compassion; such behaviors may actually be unconscious. Illnesses may even have their origins in psychosomatic conditions, that is, show real physiological symptoms caused by stress and anxiety.

Secondly, ignoring or denying evidence or diagnosis of an illness is also an unhealthy attitude. Avoiding the reality is not helpful toward engaging in goal-oriented actions aimed at improving a person’s health conditions. Although optimism, hope, and a positive attitude in general are helpful ways of facing an illness, extreme optimism can become delusional and have negative outcomes. Finally, a healthy attitude toward illness includes not only the ways in which a person faces disease once it has struck, but also in the ways in which a person lives his or her life in order to prevent the development of chronic disease. Illness prevention includes living life in a measured and appropriate way, maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, such as a balanced diet, moderate exercise, a stress-free environment, and avoiding harmful behaviors.

Besides individual attitude toward disease, there are also social attitudes that must be taken into consideration. These are often influenced by the type of disease with which people must deal. While temporal illnesses, such as a cold, are considered benignly, long-term diseases generally provoke more complex feelings among those affected directly or indirectly, as well as among the public at large. There are two general types of longer term diseases: chronic and terminal.

Chronic Disease. According to the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, a chronic disease is any that lasts over 3 months, cannot be prevented, will not disappear on its own, nor can be cured with medication. Among chronic disease patients, management of the disease so that the patient can enjoy as normal a life as possible is a core factor. Chronic disease includes the consideration of a wide variety of treatment outcomes, including the management of the disease, related pain, and caregiving issues. Negative attitudes toward illness among patients and caregivers have been linked to disease-related outcomes, according to experts, such as deterioration and pain, symptom exacerbation, and psychological effects, such as stress and depression.

It is also important to take into consideration that long-term levels of illness management can become a burden for caregivers, which can also impact their physical and psychological health, affecting the ability to cope for both caregiver and patient. In fact, research findings in chronic illness caregiving suggest that negative attitudes toward illness may place patients at greater risk for negative psychological symptoms (Ramsey, Bonner, Ryan, Mullins & Chaney, 2013).

Terminal Disease. A terminal disease is a progressive condition that cannot be cured and is expected to terminate the life of a person in a relatively brief period of time. Among terminal disease patients, issues of quality of life and end of life decisions become very important. Those suffering from terminal diseases are also at greater risk of attitudinal effects, not only from their own selves, but also from caregivers. For instance, studies have shown that over half of family caregivers do not have full knowledge of a patients’ advanced stage nor of therapy goals.

Nevertheless, medical staff needs and expects caregivers be fully informed of a terminal patient’s status so that treatment—even if at the palliative stage—works adequately. Family caregivers may not be fully aware of the patient’s status for a variety of reasons, including finding it too painful to have in-depth knowledge of a patient’s closeness to death. Family caregivers, for instance, play an important role in end of life decisions for patients. However, studies show that caregivers’ negative attitude toward a patients’ terminal illness is associated with a decreased quality of life in patients.

Studies also show that most patients suffering from a terminal illness would prefer to discuss end of life measures before their condition deteriorates too far for full participation in the decision-making process. A positive attitude toward terminal illness among caregivers, then, is of crucial importance in order to facilitate the communication process between patients and physicians and to ensure that the patient enjoys the best quality of life possible (Kim et al., 2014).

Attitude, then, is of paramount importance to the ways in which people cope with illness; therefore, some experts propose that people should be educated in skills that help focus on hope and the positive aspects of life. People with illness—and their caregivers—should be provided with counseling care to help them develop and maintain a positive outlook. Studies with people with incurable diseases, such as cancer or AIDS, show that dealing despite the pain and stress related to the disease and keeping a positive attitude can lead to beneficial life improvements, such as better personal relationships, healthier behaviors, and a more fulfilled life. In other words, many people may, despite an incurable illness, find meaning and growth in adversity (Chithra, Vijayakumar & Vijayabanu, 2014).

Finally, a positive attitude toward health and illness may lead to better health goals, despite disease. A recent medical study focusing on positive health attitudes associated with healthy behaviors, found that individuals suffering chronic disease—such as diabetes or heart disease—who maintained a healthy attitude were likelier to exercise regularly, visit their family doctors more often, and maintain a proper diet and weight compared with patients with negative health-related attitudes. Frequent visits to the doctor are motivating, since they present opportunities to become better informed and have better access to health education and other beneficial programs (Robinson, Fox & Grandy, 2009).

Further Insights

There are many actions that can be engaged in to prevent or amend negative attitudes held by people with disease or their caregivers. To prevent feelings of overburdening, caregivers can be trained in prioritizing their illness-management tasks. This may increase efficiency and reduce feelings of being overwhelmed by caretaking responsibilities. While it is difficult to target physical feelings of both caregivers and patients—pain or fatigue—it is possible to alter psychological attitudes toward tasks and obligations, for both patient and family. These should include aspects such as emotions and feelings toward illness and possible feelings of isolation from other people, and involve interactive problem-solving strategies and personally gratifying activities for caretakers and patients (Ryan et al., 2013).

There are also important social aspects to attitudes about illness and these are inevitably bound to culture. Culture influences many aspects of how people perceive health and disease, including the ways in which they respond to social and environmental conditions, the expectations of social support, the ways in which they cope with disease, and other issues concerning diseases. Culture also influences the barriers or access to help and information for people with illness. Culture, then, is a strong influence on the beliefs and attitudes of people concerning illness, including concerns with status and dignity, issues of shame and stigma, psychosocial adaptation and coping, education, and health services.

According to the American Psychiatric Association (2000), culture can add specific facets to symptoms of physical and mental illness, and even produce culture-bound problems. For example, mental illness, understood most of the time as a chronic condition, has some aspects that can be construed as socially induced. Therefore, to understand how and why particular individuals develop specific attitudes toward disease, it is important to understand a culture’s influence on perceptions of health and illness.

Issues

The National Institute of Mental Health determined that about 20 percent of adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in the United States. Notwithstanding these high numbers, many people suffering from mental health issues—significantly less than half—are reluctant to seek help. One of the main reasons adduced for the reluctance to seek—and follow—mental health treatment, is the prevalent stigmatization of mental illness. Despite numerous initiatives aimed at educating the public about mental illness, the stigma and stereotyping of people who suffer from it continues.

Mental Health. Negative attitudes toward mental health foster negative outcomes for stigmatized groups, who may be labeled as lazy, dangerous, strange, and part of a discriminated “out group.” Stigma and discrimination lead to feelings of shame among sufferers, and to very real behaviors of rejection and exclusion among people who hold such views. For instance, the perception that mental illness is dangerous leads people to seek distance from individuals with mental illness, and labeling increases their risk of being discriminated against in jobs and housing. Stigmatizing also leads to less tolerance and understanding for people who don’t fit social norms.

On the other hand, empathy has emerged as an important factor. Those who were more familiar or better educated with the topic of mental illness were likelier to feel empathy—that is, more capable of understanding the perspective of others and feeling more concerned about witnessing feelings of distress in others. It is important to note that labeling, when accurate, can actually have a positive effect in social attitudes. For instance, when labeling of mental illness is appropriate and accompanied by empathy, it leads to greater acceptance.

Stigma and Labeling. Labeling is only harmful when accompanied by negative attitudes, such as stigmatizing and stereotyping. Being more familiar with mental illness makes people less likely to seek social distance from a person suffering from mental illness. In short, many studies have consistently shown that familiarity with mental illness, be it from personal experience or education, reduces negative attitudes toward those with psychological problems. Therefore, it is of crucial importance to find ways to educate the public about disease, in order to decrease negative social attitudes toward people with mental illness (Phelan & Basow, 2007).

Negative social attitudes are not limited to people suffering from psychological problems. Numerous studies show that people suffering from myriad other diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, epilepsy, sickle cell disease, among others, have suffered from stigmatizing and discrimination in many different cultures. In some communities, such discrimination can lead to extremes of severe ostracizing and even death. Studies and awareness programs have shown, however, that widespread information as well as familiarization—increased personal contact—with people suffering from chronic disease, significantly decreases stigmatization. Understanding that people with chronic disease can manage their symptoms and even lead “a normal life” have proven among the most effective in reducing negative social attitudes (Ola, Coker & Ani, 2013).

It is of paramount importance that awareness continues to be raised about illness and health, with the goal of reducing the stigma and discrimination associated with many illnesses. A positive attitude toward illness has been proven to be greatly beneficial to patients and caregivers; however, optimism and hope are difficult to foster in the face of negative societal perceptions. Negative attitudes toward disease often result in emotional and physiological problems, as well as increased disease-related symptoms. It also makes it less likely for people with disease to seek for the help and social support they need (Phelan & Basow, 2007).

Terms & Concepts

Chronic illness: A persistent disease. An illness is considered chronic when it lasts from three months or more, or becomes permanent.

Diagnosis: The identification of a condition, illness, or disease after a careful analysis of symptoms.

Mental illness: A complex set of symptoms that affect a person’s psychological condition and well-being. Its origins vary and may include a series of genetic, physiological, biochemical, and social factors.

Palliative care: A specialized medical approach usually for people suffering terminal disease. It focuses on quality of life and relief from physical and mental discomfort.

Prognosis: A forecast or estimated outcome of a health condition or disease.

Quality of Life: The general well-being of groups and individuals based upon personal satisfaction, mental and physical health, access to basic social resources, and the ability to provide for self and family, as well as engage in self-fulfilling activities, among other life-affecting factors.

Stigma: A mark or condition that causes public shame and ostracism.

Terminal illness: An incurable and usually progressive disease that is expected will be the eventual cause of death of the affected individual.

Bibliography

Canter, K., Wu, Y., Odar Stough, C., Parikshak, S., Roberts, M., & Amylon, M. (2015). The relationship between attitudes toward illness and quality of life for children with cancer and healthy siblings. Journal of Child & Family Studies, 24(9), 2693–2698. Retrieved October 23, 2016, from EBSCO Online Database Sociology Source Ultimate. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=sxi&AN=108814836&site=ehost-live

Chithra, K., Vijayakumar, J., & Vijayabanu, U. (2014). To study the level of hope and positive attitude towards illness among AIDS patients in Chennai. Indian Journal of Health & Well-being, 5(12), 1468–1471.

Davidson, M., & Rosky, J. (2015). Dangerousness or diminished capacity? Exploring the association of gender and mental illness with violent offense sentence length. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 40(2), 353–376. Retrieved October 23, 2016, from EBSCO Online Database Sociology Source Ultimate. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=sxi&AN=102426628&site=ehost-live

Hamid, A., & Furnham, A. (2013). Factors affecting attitude towards seeking professional help for mental illness: A UK Arab perspective. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 16(7), 741–758. Retrieved October 23, 2016, from EBSCO Online Database Sociology Source Ultimate. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=sxi&AN=89683247&site=ehost-live

Kim, S., Ko, Y., Kwon, S., Shin, D., Kim, C. H., Yang, S. H., & Na, I. I. (2014). Family caregivers’ awareness of illness and attitude toward disclosure during chemotherapy for advanced cancer. Psycho-Oncology, 23(11), 1300–1306.

Ola, B., Coker, R., & Ani, C. (2013). Stigmatising attitudes towards peers with sickle cell disease among secondary school students in Nigeria. International Journal of Child, Youth & Family Studies, 4(4), 391–402. Retrieved October 23, 2016, from EBSCO Online Database Sociology Source Ultimate. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=sxi&AN=97760044&site=ehost-live

Phelan, J. E., & Basow, S. A. (2007). College students’ attitudes toward mental illness: An examination of the stigma process. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 37(12), 2877–2902. Retrieved October 23, 2016, from EBSCO Online Database Sociology Source Ultimate. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=sxi&AN=27550349&site=ehost-live

Ramsey, R., Bonner, M., Ryan, J., Mullins, L., & Chaney, J. (2013). A prospective examination of attitudes toward illness and depressive symptoms in youth with juvenile rheumatic diseases. Journal of Developmental & Physical Disabilities, 25(2), 171–180. Retrieved November 28, 2016 from EBSCO Academic Source http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=asn&AN=86051317&site=ehost-live

Robinson, J. G., Fox, K. M., Grandy, S. (2009). Attitudes about health and health-related behaviors in patients with cardiovascular disease or at elevated risk for cardiovascular disease. Preventive Cardiology, 12(3), 136–143.

Ryan, J., Mullins, L., Ramsey, R., Bonner, M., Jarvis, J., Gillaspy, S., & Chaney, J. (2013). Caregiver demand and parent distress in juvenile rheumatic disease: The mediating effect of parent attitude toward illness. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 20(3), 351–360.

Attitudes Toward Illness

On this Page

Subject Terms

Attitudes Toward Illness

Abstract

Overview

Further Insights

Issues

Terms & Concepts

Bibliography

Suggested Reading