Adapting to major chronic illness: A proposal for a comprehensive task-model approach

Abstract

Objective To develop a comprehensive task-based model that describes the psychosocial adaptation process to major chronic illness. Method In order to achieve this objective, we reviewed the four task-based models: those of Moos and Tsu [Moos RH, Tsu DV. Coping with physical illness. New York: Plenum Medical Company; 1977], Cohen and Lazarus [Cohen F, Lazarus RS. Coping with the stress of illness. In: Stone CG, Cohen F, Adler NE, editors. Health psychology: a handbook. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass; 1979. p. 217–54], Corr [Corr C. A task-based approach to coping with dying. Omega 1992;24:81–94] and Samson [Samson A. L’apport de la carrière au modèle théorique des tâches d’adaptation à la maladie chronique: une application au cas des personnes qui vivent avec le VIH. Can J Couns 2006;40:4–16]. Results We propose a comprehensive task-based model that gives a comprehensive description of the process of psychosocial adaptation to chronic illness. Conclusion With the gradual rise in life expectancy and quality of living for individuals diagnosed with major chronic illnesses, it is becoming increasingly relevant to understand how these individuals adapt to their conditions over the long term. The comprehensive model allows medical professionals to look at the challenges of this process from both objective and subjective points of view. Practice implications To enhance current practice by helping professionals to conceptualize their patients’ process of adaptation to chronic illness in a holistic manner.