Stressors and Social Support Perceptions Predict Illness Attitudes and Care-Seeking Intentions: Re-Examining the Sick Role

Abstract

Parsons' (1951) sick role concept has had a profound impact on the study of sickness as a social phenomenon. The sick role might be better conceived as a set of illness attitudes and care-seeking intentions rather than a set of social norms. This investigation purports (a) to explore the relationships among illness attitudes, (b) to examine the ability of illness attitudes to predict medical care-seeking intentions, and (c) to investigate differences in the sick role as a function of stressors and social support perceptions. Participants (N = 148) completed a survey questionnaire assessing daily hassles, life events, perceived social support, dependence, self-criticism, and the sick role. Results of a factor analysis on the sick role measures revealed four attitudinal (Release, Consideration, Burden, and Deviance) and two behavioral (Denial and Consult) factors. The attitudinal factors were moderately intercorrelated, with some ability to predict care-seeking intentions. Regression analyses revealed that stressors and support perceptions did exhibit some ability to predict the sick role. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for health communication research.