Table 2 Illness perception mean scores (standard deviation) by functional capacity (N = 208)
Illness perceptions, Mean (SD) | NYHA Class I (n = 18) | NYHA Class II (n = 99) | NYHA Class III (n = 91) | Pairwise p-values |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Consequences How much does your illness affect your life? | 3.67 (2.3) | 5.43 (2.4) | 6.49 (2.2) | 1 vs 2: p = .01 1 vs 3: p < .001 2 vs 3: p = .01 |
Timeline How long do you think your illness will continue? | 8.56 (1.9) | 8.93 (2.1) | 9.34 (1.6) | 1 vs 2: p = .84 1 vs 2: p = .84 2 vs 3: p = .33 |
Personal control How much control do you feel you have over your illness? | 7.39 (1.7) | 5.96 (2.2) | 5.71 (2.3) | 1 vs 2: p = .03 1 vs 3: p = .01 2 vs 3: p > .99 |
Treatment control How much do you think your treatment can help your illness? | 8.94 (1.1) | 7.91 (1.8) | 7.57 (2.3) | 1 vs 2: p = .01 1 vs 3: p = .001 2 vs 3: p = .60 |
Identity How much do you experience symptoms from your illness? | 2.72 (2.2) | 5.01 (2.5) | 6.45 (2.3) | 1 vs 2: p = .001 1 vs 3: p < .001 2 vs 3: p < .001 |
Illness concern How concerned are you about your illness? | 2.78 (2.1) | 3.82 (2.8) | 4.80 (3.3) | 1 vs 2: p = .53 1 vs 3: p = .03 2 vs 3: p = .07 |
Coherence How well do you feel you understand your illness? | 6.50 (2.3) | 7.01 (2.0) | 7.21 (2.3) | 1 vs 2: p > .99 1 vs 3: p = .64 2 vs 3: p > .99 |
Emotional representation How much does your illness affect you emotionally? | 2.33 (1.8) | 4.56 (3.1) | 5.09 (2.8) | 1 vs 2: p = .01 1 vs 3: p = .001 2 vs 3: p = .62 |