Trust in mutual aid group members, self-management of chronic illness, and well-being among young patients with chronic illness in Hong Kong

Abstract

While trust has been widely identified as a vital protective factor for individuals’ well-being, less attention has been paid to the particularized trust of mutual aid group members and its impact on the self-management and well-being of young patients with chronic illness (PWCIs). The present study aims to explore the effect of trust in mutual aid group members on young PWCIs’ well-being and the mediating role of self-management in such an association. Data were collected through a stratified random sampling; 391 young PWCIs from mutual aid groups in Hong Kong were recruited as the research sample and participated in both the baseline and 12-month follow-up surveys. Our findings indicated that the effects of trust on well-being outcomes (accomplishment, social connectedness, and depression) were fully mediated by treatment adherence and health maintenance efficacy, but not by coping with stigma. The empirical findings provide practical implications for intervention programs in relation to promoting the self-management and well-being of young PWCIs.