Striving for control: Cognitive, self-care, and faith strategies employed by vulnerable black and white older adults with multiple chronic conditions

Corinne R. Leach, Nancy E. Schoenberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

The average older adult reaches age 65 with at least two chronic, co-occurring illnesses, or multiple morbidities (MM). We currently lack critical information about the specific strategies older adults use to attempt to control these MM. To increase our understanding of how older adults attempt to manage these MM and retain control of their health, in-depth interviews were conducted with 41 Black and White middle aged and older men and women with MM. We were particularly interested in representing the experience of those groups more vulnerable to adverse health outcomes due to greater disease prevalence and low income. During in-depth interviews, we asked open-ended questions on life and health history and open-ended and semi-structured questions about self-care for multiple morbidities. Participants expressed a strong desire to remain in control of their health; to do so they employed a wide range of strategies including cognitive structuring techniques (being health vigilant, normalizing, resignation/relinquishing control, and social comparison), self-care activities (emphasizing diet, exercise, medication taking, modifying existing activities, going to the doctor), and faith orientations (prayer as a constructive support strategy, gaining strength from God, church as a central part of life). With the exception of faith orientations, there were no race/ethnicity differences in the strategies participants use. Future studies should expand on this knowledge by exploring the contextual, cultural, and psychological backdrop and characteristics that shape the use of these coping strategies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)377-399
Number of pages23
JournalJournal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology
Volume23
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2008

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Acknowledgements This research was supported by the Department of Behavioral Science at the University of Kentucky. We also acknowledge the contributions of Michelle Johnson, William Edwards, Heather Wallace, Joy Jacobs–Lawson and, most especially, the 41 elders who gave generously of their time.

Keywords

  • Cognitive structuring
  • Faith strategies
  • Multiple morbidities
  • Self-care

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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