Symptom characteristics, perceived causal attributions, and contextual factors influencing self-care behaviors: An ecological daily assessment study of adults with chronic illness

OBJECTIVE: Insights into how symptoms influence self-care can guide patient education and improve symptom control. This study examined symptom characteristics, causal attributions, and contextual factors influencing self-care of adults with arthritis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, or heart failure.

METHODS: Adults (n = 81) with a symptomatic chronic illness participated in a longitudinal observational study. Using Ecological Daily Assessment, participants described one symptom twice daily for two weeks, rating its frequency, severity, bothersomeness, duration, causes, and self-care.

RESULTS: The most frequent symptoms were fatigue and shortness of breath. Pain, fatigue, and joint stiffness were the most severe and bothersome. Most participants engaged in active self-care, but those with fatigue and pain engaged in passive self-care (i.e., rest or do nothing), especially when symptoms were infrequent, mild, somewhat bothersome, and fleeting. In people using passive self-care, thoughts, feelings, and the desire to conceal symptoms from others interfered with self-care.

CONCLUSION: Most adults with a chronic illness take an active role in managing their symptoms but some conceal or ignore symptoms until the frequency, severity, bothersomeness, or duration increases.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: When patients report symptoms, asking about self-care behaviors may reveal inaction or ineffective approaches. A discussion of active self-care options may improve symptom control.